HITTING AVERAGE Meaning and
Definition
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Hitting average is a statistical measure used in the game of baseball to gauge the overall effectiveness of a batter in terms of getting base hits during an at-bat. It is a crucial metric in evaluating a player's hitting performance and is calculated by dividing the total number of base hits achieved by the total number of at-bats. Hitting average is usually expressed as a three-digit decimal number, rounded to three places.
A high hitting average indicates consistent success in making contact with the ball and reaching base, whereas a low average suggests a lack of effectiveness in getting hits. For example, if a player has 100 at-bats and earns 30 base hits, their hitting average would be .300, indicating they achieve a hit 30% of the time they step up to bat.
Hitting average provides valuable insights into a player's batting prowess, as it reflects their ability to connect with pitches and deliver hits, which directly impacts their team's ability to score runs. It also facilitates comparisons between players, enabling teams to assess their offensive capabilities and make informed decisions regarding selection and lineup arrangements. Hitting average is commonly used alongside other important batting statistics, such as slugging percentage and on-base percentage, to obtain a comprehensive evaluation of a player's overall hitting performance.
Common Misspellings for HITTING AVERAGE
- gitting average
- nitting average
- jitting average
- uitting average
- yitting average
- hutting average
- hjtting average
- hktting average
- hotting average
- h9tting average
- h8tting average
- hirting average
- hifting average
- higting average
- hiyting average
- hi6ting average
- hi5ting average
- hitring average
- hitfing average
- hitging average
Etymology of HITTING AVERAGE
The term "hitting average" is primarily associated with baseball. The word "hitting" refers to the act of striking the ball with a bat, while "average" refers to a calculated statistic that represents a player's success as a batter.
The term "hitting average" originated in the late 19th century when baseball was gaining popularity. At the time, various statistics were being developed to measure a player's performance, aiming to quantify their skill level. One important statistic was the batting average, which showcased a player's ability to make successful hits.
The exact etymology of the phrase "hitting average" is not well-documented; however, it can be attributed to the merging of the words "hitting" and "average" to describe this specific statistic. Over time, as baseball became more organized and structured, the term "hitting average" became widely used within the sport.
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