How to Figure Fielding Stats

Too often baseball is seen through the prism of offense. When discussions turn to the best players in the game, offensive statistics are almost always cited as the basis for arguments. But fortunately, the Baseball Hall of Fame voters were wise enough to recognize players such as Ozzie Smith and Bill Mazeroski, who earned their spots among baseball's elite by playing outstanding defense. Baseball has always centered around its numerous statistical categories, and defense is no different. Sports geeks at places such as STATS Inc. have given fans plenty of ways to gauge a player's fielding performance.

Things You'll Need

  • Scoresheets or expanded box scores
  • Calculator
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Instructions

    • 1

      Learn how to read a baseball scorebook. Each fielding position is given a number between 1 and 9. The pitcher is labeled as 1 in defensive scoring, and the catcher is 2. The first baseman is 3, the second baseman is 4, the third baseman is 5 and the shortstop is 6. The left fielder is 7, the center fielder is 8 and the right fielder is 9. Every out is posted on a scoresheets in shorthand with these numbers. For example, "FO 8" is shorthand for a flyout to the center fielder.

    • 2

      Add the number of putouts by a player. A put-out is awarded anytime the player is responsible for posting an out in the field. For example, an outfielder who catches a fly ball will be credited with a putout. So, too, will a first baseman who retires a runner at first on a ground ball. A catcher will be credited with a putout if he catches the third strike in a strikeout.

    • 3

      Add the assists by each player. An assist is credited when a player fields the ball and throws or redirects to another player who makes a putout. For example, a shortstop who fields a ground ball and throws to first to retire the batter gets an assist. The first baseman would get a putout. Groundouts are noted on a scoresheet by a simple string of numbers. For example, "5-3" would signify a groundout in which the third baseman threw to the first baseman to retire a batter. Often, announcers will refer to a "6-4-3" double play. In this case, the shortstop threw to the second baseman who retired one base runner at second, then threw to first for a second putout. In the case of double plays, the person who forces the runner out at second and throws to first for a second out would be credited with both a putout and an assist.

    • 4

      Add the errors for each player. The official scorer credits an error for any play in which a player's flub or indifference allowed the batter to reach base safely, or a runner to advance.

    • 5

      Calculate a player's fielding percentage. This involves a simple equation -- (P+A)/ (P+A+E) -- where P stands for putouts, A for assists and E for errors. The percentage is always shown as a decimal. For example, a perfect fielding percentage would be 1.000. Most good players will have fielding percentages of .960 and above.

    • 6

      Calculate the player's range factor. The range factor is a measure of how much one player contributes to his team's defense. To calculate it, add the putouts and assists, multiply by 9 and divide by the number of defensive innings the fielder has played. This number is actually another way of showing how many outs the player will contribute to in a normal game. Because they are responsible for most outs, catchers and first basemen usually have the highest range factors.