What is BABIP?

Question

What is BABIP? i know its a stat used to see if a struggling or streaking pitcher will continue to do good/bad but i dont know how it is calculated.

If you could tell me what the letters stand for, the way it is calculated, and the normal average a pitcher gets that would be great

Answer 1

BABIP = Batting Average on Balls In Play

For pitchers, this number should even out over a season. For NL pitchers, it should end up near .280. For AL pitchers .290 or so. Extreme groundball pitchers are slightly worse on average. A few, and I repeat a few, pitchers have been shown to be small exceptions and can record slightly lower BABIPs over time.

For hitters, it's different. Each hitter is an individual and some hitters have better career BABIPs than others. It's better to look at career averages to get a feel of what to expect. Loosely, better line drive hitters tend to have better career BABIPs.

Look at the site below for good stats on BABIP

Answer 2

Batting Average of Balls in Play. Guys who have low BABIP's have been lucky rather than good. The inverse is true - guys with BABIP's over .300 are usually great buy-low candidates.

Also check out BIPA, which is the same stat removing strikouts and homers. It's a little more accurate.

Answer 3

Batting traditional on balls in play. What's your batting traditional on balls you installed play, while you hit the ball in reasonable territory do you frequently get out or get on base, ignoring strikeouts and walks. It's extra priceless for a tumbler, what's his BABIP in opposition to him, than a hitter.