Friday, December 29, 2023
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Vacaville, CA 95687
Sunday, December 17, 2023
Single (1B)
Definition
A single occurs when a batter hits the ball and reaches first base without the help of an intervening error or attempt to put out another baserunner. Singles are the most common type of hit in baseball, and they occur in many varieties. If a batter beats out a bunt or an infield dribbler -- it's a single. And if a batter hits a rocket to the outfield wall but is held at first base -- it's also a single. (A batter is still credited with a single if he reaches first safely but is thrown out while trying to advance to second.)
The league's leaders in singles are typically speedy contact hitters who bat higher in the batting order. However, the leaderboard for singles isn't as commonly referenced as the leaderboards for home runs, doubles or triples.
Even though the batter only reaches first base, many singles allow runners to advance two bases. A runner is said to be in "scoring position" when he is on second base (or third base), because he could score on a single to the outfield.
In A Call
"base hit," "base knock," "one-bagger"
Learn more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Thursday, December 14, 2023
Monday, December 11, 2023
Sacrifice Bunt (SH)
Definition
A sacrifice bunt occurs when a player is successful in his attempt to advance a runner (or multiple runners) at least one base with a bunt. In this vein, the batter is sacrificing himself (giving up an out) in order to move another runner closer to scoring. When a batter bunts with a runner on third base, it is called a squeeze play and, if successful, is still recorded as a sacrifice.
A sacrifice bunt does not count against a player's batting average or on-base percentage, as the decision to sacrifice often isn't made by the player. Typically, a player will be given a sign by the third-base coach, instructing a bunt attempt. In National League ballparks, pitchers are frequently called upon to sacrifice bunt.
If an error is committed and the batter reaches base, he is still credited with a sacrifice. However, if the sacrifice bunt attempt turns into a single, the batter is simply credited with a hit and no sacrifice is given. An official scorer may determine that a batter was exclusively trying to bunt for a base hit and choose not to give him credit for a sacrifice. However, this is rare in sacrifice situations (with less than two outs and men on base).
In A Call
"sac," "sacrifice," "sac bunt," "gives himself up"
Learn more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Friday, December 8, 2023
Teams Welcome
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Saturday, December 2, 2023
Winter Packages Available for Lessons and Cage Credits
Wednesday, November 29, 2023
Run (R)
Definition
A player is awarded a run if he crosses the plate to score his team a run. When tallying runs scored, the way in which a player reached base is not considered. If a player reaches base by an error or a fielder's choice, as long as he comes around to score, he is still credited with a run. If a player enters the game as a pinch-runner and scores, he is also credited with a run.
The league leaders in runs scored are generally adept at reaching safely and running the bases. But they also tend to score frequently because of favorable positions toward the top their teams' lineups -- a factor that has little to do with the run-scorer's own abilities.
With almost no exception, a pitcher is charged with having allowed a run if a runner he allows to reach base comes around to score. This is different from earned runs, which are not applied if the pitcher allows runs due to defensive errors by his team.
On rare occasions, a pitcher can be charged with a run even when he did not directly allow the scoring player to reach base. If a pitcher allows a baserunner before exiting, and the following pitcher gets a fielder's choice out, the original pitcher is still responsible for the batter who just reached base. This is because the batter who has reached on a fielder's choice is merely replacing the runner put on by the previous pitcher.
In A Call
"runs scored"
Learn more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
HOLIDAY HOURS
Monday, November 20, 2023
On-base Plus Slugging (OPS)
Definition
OPS adds on-base percentage and slugging percentage to get one number that unites the two. It's meant to combine how well a hitter can reach base, with how well he can hit for average and for power.
It can also be used in evaluating pitchers; when used in that context, it is referred to as OPS against.
OPS leaders: All-time | Single-season | Current season
Learn more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Friday, November 17, 2023
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Saturday, November 11, 2023
On-base Percentage (OBP)
Definition
OBP refers to how frequently a batter reaches base per plate appearance. Times on base include hits, walks and hit-by-pitches, but do not include errors, times reached on a fielder's choice or a dropped third strike. (Separately, sacrifice bunts are removed from the equation entirely, because it is rarely a hitter's decision to sacrifice himself, but rather a manager's choice as part of an in-game strategy.)
A hitter's goal is to avoid making an out, and on-base percentage shows which hitters have accomplished that task the best.
On-base percentage can also be applied as an evaluative tool for pitchers, although this is done less frequently. In such cases, it is referred to as on-base against.
Origin:
On-base percentage was a statistic invented in the 1940s-50s by Dodgers executive Branch Rickey and statistician Allan Roth. It did not become an official statistic until 1984.
In A Call
"on-base average"
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Wednesday, November 8, 2023
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Vacaville, CA 95687
Sunday, November 5, 2023
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Tuesday, October 31, 2023
Friday, October 27, 2023
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Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Left On Base (LOB)
Definition
Left on base can be viewed as both an individual statistic or as a team statistic.
In an individual batter's case, it refers to how many men remain on base after that batter makes an out at the plate, as the batter has failed to do his job to score those runners -- or at least put himself in a position to score.
In a team's case or in an individual pitcher's case, it refers to the number of men who remain on base at the end of an inning.
LOB can be a very circumstantial statistic on a game-by-game basis. But the best teams are usually good at finding a way to get runners home once they've reached base.
In A Call
"stranded," "runners stranded," "ducks left on the pond"
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Saturday, October 21, 2023
Intentional Walk (IBB)
Definition
An intentional walk occurs when the defending team elects to walk a batter on purpose, putting him on first base instead of letting him try to hit. Intentional walks -- which count as a walk for the hitter and a walk allowed by the pitcher -- are an important strategy in the context of a game. They can be used to put a runner on first base, setting up a potential double play.
Intentional walks occur most frequently with an excellent hitter at the plate and a significantly worse hitter -- or a more favorable matchup for the pitcher -- on deck. Generally, intentional walks occur with no one on first base, but they can also occur -- very, very rarely -- with first base occupied.
Beginning in the 2017 season, teams no longer need to throw four balls in order to intentionally walk a batter. Rather, the manager can signal an intentional walk from the dugout at any point during a plate appearance, putting the batter on first base automatically.
History of the rule
Prior to the 2017 season, teams were not able to intentionally walk a batter without throwing four balls -- though only the fourth ball needed to be intentional in order for the walk to be scored as such.
For intentional walks, a catcher would typically stand upright -- by rule keeping both feet inside the catcher's box until the ball left the pitcher's hand -- so he could more easily receive a pitch far outside the strike zone. Of course, hitters were not prohibited from swinging at an intentional ball attempt and would occasionally do so if the pitch was thrown closer to the plate than the pitcher intended.
In A Call
"free pass," "putting him on"
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Catcher's Clinic, October 29th
Thursday, October 12, 2023
Monday, October 9, 2023
WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT for the FARTHEST BASEBALL EVER HIT | with @KingofJU...
Friday, October 6, 2023
Lessons with Coach Sean
Tuesday, October 3, 2023
Hitting Session Was a Success!
Saturday, September 30, 2023
BATTLE OF THE DECADES | Which era had the hottest baseball bats?
Wednesday, September 27, 2023
Home Run (HR)
Definition
A home run occurs when a batter hits a fair ball and scores on the play without being put out or without the benefit of an error.
In almost every instance of a home run, a batter hits the ball in the air over the outfield fence in fair territory. In that situation, the batter is awarded all four bases, and any runners on base score as well. The batter can circle the bases at his leisure, as there is no threat of him being thrown out. (This also occurs when the ball hits the foul pole in left or right field, or when the ball hits an opposing defender on the fly and bounces directly over the wall in fair ground.)
There are also instances of "inside-the-park home runs." These occur when the batter hits the ball in play (not over the wall) and touches all four bases without being thrown out. These are extremely rare and typically only occur with a very fast runner at the plate and some sort of misplay by an outfielder that doesn't qualify as an error.
Home runs can be a great stat for evaluating a hitter's power. They're also good for measuring the success of pitchers, who strive to limit home runs. But home run totals can be affected by the ballpark in which a game is being played. Some ballparks are smaller, have higher walls or have different wind currents. This means home runs in certain ballparks might have stayed in the yard in others.
Origin
The term "home run" comes from the basic act of a batter circling all the bases successfully. In the early days of the home run, running was typically a necessity as players weren't very powerful and outfields were much bigger, leading to a greater number of inside-the-park home runs. Now, however, most home runs feature players trotting around the bases after hitting the ball over the fence.
In A Call
"homer," "long ball," "dinger," "tater," "jack," "shot," "four-bagger," "blast," "big fly," "going yard," "going deep," "clout," "round tripper," "gopher ball" (used to describe the home run pitch thrown by the pitcher)
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Sunday, September 24, 2023
Hit (H)
Definition
A hit occurs when a batter strikes the baseball into fair territory and reaches base without doing so via an error or a fielder's choice. There are four types of hits in baseball: singles, doubles, triples and home runs. All four are counted equally when deciphering batting average. If a player is thrown out attempting to take an extra base (e.g., turning a single into a double), that still counts as a hit.
Hits come in all varieties. Some can be hard-hit balls or long home runs. Others can be slow bouncers in the infield -- or even bunts -- where the batter reaches first base before the throw. (These are called "infield hits.") Hits are also credited to the batter when the ball takes an awkward bounce that a defender cannot field (provided the scorer rules that the batter didn't reach base with the help of an error).
The league leader in hits is often a batter with speed who:
- Hits high in the batting order -- meaning he gets a high number of plate appearances
- Doesn't walk much
- Makes a lot of hard contact
Hits are a pivotal part of many statistics, such as batting average, batting average against, WHIP and H/9.
In A Call
"base hit," "knock," "base knock"
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Thursday, September 21, 2023
Were The Yankees Set Up For Failure To Begin The Season?
Monday, September 18, 2023
Hit-by-pitch (HBP)
Definition
A hit-by-pitch occurs when a batter is struck by a pitched ball without swinging at it. He is awarded first base as a result. Strikes supersede hit-by-pitches, meaning if the umpire rules that the pitch was in the strike zone or that the batter swung, the HBP is nullified.
A batter is awarded a hit-by-pitch, even if the ball only touches a portion of his uniform or protection (helmet, shin guard, etc.).
Most hit-by-pitches are unintentional. They often stem from pitchers trying to throw the ball inside but missing by a few inches. Pitchers will often throw inside to make the hitter wary, so they do not crowd the plate. However, a pitcher may sometimes throw at a hitter intentionally as a form of retaliation. If the home-plate umpire suspects this is the case, he has the right to eject the pitcher (and the manager of the pitching team) from the game.
A hit-by-pitch does not count as a hit, but it does count as a time on base for on-base percentage purposes. Certain hitters -- specifically those who stand very close to the plate -- have a knack for earning HBPs, which can obviously be helpful because the goal of any hitter is to reach base. But hit-by-pitches can also result in injury because most pitches are thrown 80 mph or faster. Per the rules, a batter must make an attempt to avoid being hit by a pitch in order to receive first base.
Pitchers with high HBP totals typically struggle with their control and will also walk a higher-than-normal number of hitters.
In A Call
"plunked," "drilled," "hit batter," "hit batsman"
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Friday, September 15, 2023
Groundout-to-Airout Ratio (GO/AO)
Definition
Groundout-to-airout ratio is obtained by dividing the total number of ground balls converted into outs (not including bunts) by the total number of balls in the air (fly balls and line drives) converted into outs.
For pitchers, GO/AO can often be an indicator of success, because a pitcher generally aims to induce more ground balls than balls in the air (seeing as how these batted balls can turn into the most harmful result of all, a home run). But at the same time, certain pitchers can thrive while still allowing a high percentage of balls in the air, as long as they're inducing weak contact and/or striking out hitters.
For hitters, this number is used much less frequently as an evaluation tool, although speedier hitters typically strive for a higher ratio of ground balls to fly balls. That's because over the course of a season, some would-be groundouts become infield hits for batters who are fast enough to beat the throw.
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Tuesday, September 12, 2023
Inside the Most Amazing Ballpark in America! (BYU)
Saturday, September 9, 2023
Ground Into Double Play (GIDP)
Definition
A GIDP occurs when a player hits a ground ball that results in multiple outs on the bases. The most common double plays are ground balls where a forceout is made on the player running from first to second base, then another forceout is made on the batter running to first base.
A GIDP typically occurs on a ground ball that is hit hard and directly at a fielder, although softly hit balls can also result in double plays depending on the speed of the batter running to first base. The MLB leaders in GIDP are typically slower players who hit a high number of ground balls -- often well-struck ground balls.
GIDP can be used to evaluate pitchers as well. For most pitchers, the goal is to keep the ball low in the strike zone, and GIDPs are typically a result of success in that regard. It is often said that double plays are "a pitcher's best friend."
In A Call
"twin killing," "turn two"
Learn More, HERE.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Grand Slam (GSH)
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Inside the UNC Tar Heels $26,000,000 Baseball Facilities!
Thursday, August 31, 2023
Games Played (G)
Definition
A player is credited with having played a game if he appears in it at any point -- be it as a starter or a replacement. It's important to note that the player doesn't necessarily need an at-bat. He can also enter for defense or as a pinch-runner.
Typically, if a player records 162 games played, it means that he appeared in every game that season. But there have been instances in the past where players have exceeded that number -- either because they were traded during the season or because they played in a tiebreaker game at the end of the season.
In A Call
"games," "appearances"
See more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Monday, August 28, 2023
Extra-base Hit (XBH)
Definition
An extra-base hit is defined as any hit that is not a single, meaning doubles, triples and home runs are all considered extra-base hits. They are a good stat to look at to evaluate an offensive player's power -- and in some cases, his speed.
An extra-base hit is typically a ball that is hit very hard, and it often goes to the outfield wall. (Obviously, in the case of a home run, it usually goes over the wall). Speedier hitters have a slight advantage in attaining extra-base hits because they can use their foot speed to reach second base faster.
Extra-base-hit totals can also be used to evaluate pitchers, although this is done less frequently. In that case, it is referred to as extra-base hits against.
In A Call
"extra bags," "long hit"
See more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Friday, August 25, 2023
Tuesday, August 22, 2023
Saturday, August 19, 2023
Team Membership
Wednesday, August 16, 2023
The Last Baseball-Glove Maker in America
Sunday, August 13, 2023
TODAY! Hitting Clinic
Thursday, August 10, 2023
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Monday, August 7, 2023
Friday, August 4, 2023
Double (2B)
Definition
A batter is credited with a double when he hits the ball into play and reaches second base without the help of an intervening error or attempt to put out another baserunner.
Doubles are typically hit either into a gap, down the lines or off the outfield wall. They often score speedier runners from first base -- except for in the instance of a ground-rule double, where the ball bounces into the stands and all baserunners, including the batter, are awarded two bases.
Late in games, teams often employ a "no-doubles defense" when they have the lead, where outfielders play very deep in an effort to prevent extra-base hits.
In A Call
"two-bagger," "two-base hit," "extra bases"
See more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Caught Stealing (CS)
Definition
A caught stealing occurs when a runner attempts to steal but is tagged out before reaching second base, third base or home plate. This typically happens after a pitch, when a catcher throws the ball to the fielder at the base before the runner reaches it. But it can also happen before a pitch, typically when a pitcher throws the ball to first base for a pickoff attempt but the batter has already left for second.
Many different factors go into a caught stealing. Namely: a pitcher's quick release to home plate, a catcher's quick transfer and throw, a good tag by the fielder receiving the ball and a poor jump -- or slow first step -- by the baserunner.
If a runner is thrown out trying to advance on a wild pitch or a passed ball, this does not count as a caught stealing. Similarly, a runner who is picked off while diving back to a base has not been "caught stealing" because he never attempted to steal in the first place. If a batter steals a base safely but is tagged when he comes off the base before fully gaining his balance, it still counts as a caught stealing, because he was never established on the base.
Baseball's caught-stealing leaders are typically some of the fastest players in the game, as such players attempt to steal the most bases.
When a catcher gets an assist on a caught stealing, he is awarded a catcher caught stealing (CCS). He is also awarded a CCS if the recipient drops his throw for an error and the official scorer judges that the runner would have been out had the ball been caught. However, when a runner is thrown out trying to advance on a wild pitch or a passed ball, a catcher caught stealing is not awarded.
In A Call
"nailed," "thrown out," "nabbed," "hosed"
See more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Saturday, July 29, 2023
Fine Tuning A Players Swing: Extension After Contact | Baseball Barn
Wednesday, July 26, 2023
Batting Average (AVG)
Definition
One of the oldest and most universal tools to measure a hitter's success at the plate, batting average is determined by dividing a player's hits by his total at-bats for a number between zero (shown as .000) and one (1.000). In recent years, the league-wide batting average has typically hovered around .250.
While batting average is a useful tool for measuring a player's ability at the plate, it isn't all-encompassing. For instance, batting average doesn't take into account the number of times a batter reaches base via walks or hit-by-pitches. And it doesn't take into account hit type (with a double, triple or home run being more valuable than a single).
Batting average can also be applied in evaluating pitchers. In this case, it is called either "opponents' batting average" or "batting average against," and it is determined by dividing the number of hits against a given pitcher by the number of at-bats against him.
BAA is very common in evaluating pitchers -- especially when assessing opponent handed-ness splits. A pitcher cannot have an ERA against left-handed hitters because they are interspersed with righties in lineups. So when a pitcher's ability against hitters from each side of the plate is being compared, it is usually done by using either BAA or OPS-against.
Origin
Batting average was created as a measure to judge the success of a hitter. For one season, in 1887, walks counted as hits as well. But after that season, it was determined that batting average should take into account only a batter's hits -- and not any other methods he used to reach base.
In A Call
"average," as a verb: "he's batting" or "he's hitting"
See more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Sunday, July 23, 2023
At-bat (AB)
Definition
An official at-bat comes when a batter reaches base via a fielder's choice, hit or an error (not including catcher's interference) or when a batter is put out on a non-sacrifice. (Whereas a plate appearance refers to each completed turn batting, regardless of the result.)
At-bats are used as the denominator when determining batting average and slugging percentage. Players who bat higher in the order will typically finish the season with more at-bats than players who hit toward the bottom. Similarly, players who walk infrequently also typically record a higher-than-usual number of at-bats in a season, because walks do not count as at-bats.
In A Call
"times at bat," "turns at bat"
See more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Thursday, July 20, 2023
How To Set Up A Hitting Lesson Based Hitter Level | Baseball Barn
Monday, July 17, 2023
The Baseball-Softball Barn
We are located on the east side of the MACCO Paint & Body Building at
777 Elmira Road, Vacaville, CA 95687
Vacaville, CA 95687
Friday, July 14, 2023
Tuesday, July 11, 2023
Attacking A Weak Top Hand/Arm - How To Instruct Your Hitter | Baseball Barn
Saturday, July 8, 2023
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Vacaville, CA 95687
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
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Vacaville, CA 95687
Sunday, July 2, 2023
Twitter Response - Keeping Angles To Maintain Power & Consistency - Base...
Thursday, June 29, 2023
Triple Play (TP)
Definition
A triple play occurs when the defending team records three outs on a single defensive play.
Triple plays are rare for several reasons. First off, they can occur only when the batting team has at least two men on base with nobody out. Then, in those cases, the batting team typically has to make a baserunning blunder to aid the defending team. The most common form of a triple play begins with a hard line drive at an infielder. In this instance, runners sometimes have already left their bases -- either to steal, as part of a hit and run or simply because they didn't get a good read on where the ball was headed. The defense will then throw to both bases, getting both runners out.
Still, there is no common method for a triple play, like there is with a ground-ball double play. There have been ground-ball triple plays, typically with a slow runner batting. There have also been situations where multiple runners get caught in rundowns. Additionally, triple plays have resulted from confusion at an umpire's call.
One of the rarest occurrences in baseball is the unassisted triple play, where a single fielder turns a triple play without ever giving up the baseball. There are no defensive assists on the play, and thus it is unassisted. Every unassisted triple play in history (through the 2016 season) has followed a pattern, where the three outs are recorded by: 1. An infielder catching a line drive, and 2. that infielder tagging a runner and stepping on second base (in no particular order).
In A Call
"turn three"
Read more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Monday, June 26, 2023
Total Chances (TC)
Definition
In theory, a defender's total chances represent the number of opportunities he has to record an out. The formula for total chances is: assists plus putouts plus errors.
The use of the statistic is almost exclusively limited to its role as the denominator for determining fielding percentage. The biggest flaw with total chances is that it doesn't account for difficult defensive plays that get made. For instance, a diving catch that is made by a defender counts as a "chance," but if that same play falls in for a hit, it doesn't count as a "chance" for that defender.
In A Call
"defensive chances," "chances"
Read more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687
Friday, June 23, 2023
Hitting Metrics | How To Use Them Effectively | The Baseball Barn
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
Putout (PO)
Definition
A fielder is credited with a putout when he is the fielder who physically records the act of completing an out -- whether it be by stepping on the base for a forceout, tagging a runner, catching a batted ball, or catching a third strike. A fielder can also receive a putout when he is the fielder deemed by the official scorer to be the closest to a runner called out for interference.
Catchers -- who record putouts by catching pitches that result in strikeouts -- and first basemen -- who record putouts by catching throws on ground-ball outs -- generally amass the highest putout totals.
If a fielder receives a ground ball and steps on a base for a forceout or tags a runner, he is credited with an unassisted putout -- and, obviously, he does not receive credit for an assist. However, if a fielder does so and then throws the ball to another teammate for an out, he is credited with both a putout and an assist.
In A Call
"tagged out" OR "forced out"
Read more, here.
Vacaville, CA 95687