Here’s a surprising fact: Even the best hitters in Major League Baseball manage to get on base just 30% of the time! Think about that for a second—players who are considered legends fail more often than they succeed. But what is it that makes getting a hit so tough?
What exactly counts as a hit in the first place? If you’ve ever watched a game and wondered about the specifics, stick around. I’ll break it down for you in a way that’s easy to understand, even if you’re not a die-hard baseball fan.
What Exactly Is a Hit in Baseball?
At its core, a hit in baseball is pretty straightforward. A hit happens when the batter strikes the ball and reaches at least first base, without help from a fielding error or a fielder’s choice. That’s it! The key part? The ball has to be hit to a place where the defense can’t get it in time.
Whether it’s a grounder sneaking through the infield or a booming shot to the outfield, it counts as long as no one messes up defensively. This might sound simple, but when you’ve got nine players doing their best to stop you, it’s anything but. That’s why batting averages, the percentage of times a player gets a hit, are so low, even for the best.
Types of Hits: From Singles to Home Runs
Let’s dig into the different kinds of hits you might see in a game. These four main types are all part of what makes baseball so exciting. Each one can change the pace of the game in its own way.
1. Single
A single happens when the batter makes it to first base. Simple, right? Singles are often ground balls that get past the infield or short line drives that drop into the outfield.
Why It Matters: Singles may not be the most glamorous, but they keep the game moving. One by one, they load the bases and give a team the chance to bring runners home. Sometimes, it’s the little things that count.
2. Double
A double is just what it sounds like—when a batter hits the ball and reaches second base. Doubles usually happen when the ball is hit deep into the outfield, bouncing off the wall or splitting the outfielders.
Why It Matters: Doubles are a bit more exciting because now, a runner is in scoring position. With a good hit, the runner could be coming home in no time.
3. Triple
Triples are rare but thrilling. When a batter makes it to third base on a hit, the crowd usually goes wild. This typically happens when the ball lands in the farthest part of the field, or when the fielders have a hard time getting to it.
Why It Matters: With a runner on third base, the odds of scoring shoot up. A well-placed fly ball or another single can bring the runner home, making triples a real game-changer.
4. Home Run
The home run is what everyone loves to see. When a batter hits the ball over the fence or far enough out of reach that they can trot around all four bases, that’s a home run. And just like that, a run is on the board—no questions asked.
Why It Matters: Home runs are instant game-changers. If the bases are loaded, it becomes a grand slam, bringing in four runs with one swing. That’s the kind of stuff that turns games around in an instant.
Timing Is Everything: The Skill Behind Getting a Hit
If you’ve ever tried to hit a baseball, you know it’s not as easy as it looks. Even though the ball is small, it’s coming at you fast—sometimes over 90 mph! But speed isn’t the only thing. Good hitters need to master a few key skills:
- Hand-Eye Coordination: This is a must. You’ve got to be able to track the ball as it moves and swing at just the right moment. Miss by a fraction of a second, and you’ll either whiff completely or hit a weak foul.
- Bat Speed: The quicker you can swing, the more power you put behind the ball. That’s why some players seem to smack the ball out of the park with ease—it’s not just strength, it’s speed.
- Pitch Recognition: Not every pitch is the same. Some curve, some slide, and some come straight at you. Good hitters can quickly figure out which pitch is coming and adjust their swing in a split second. This is what separates decent hitters from the great ones.
What Doesn’t Count as a Hit?
There are times when the batter reaches a base, but it doesn’t count as a hit. These situations can be confusing, so let’s clear up a couple of common ones.
1. Fielding Errors
If the defense messes up, like dropping a fly ball or throwing to the wrong base, it’s called a fielding error. The batter might still make it to first, but it won’t count as a hit. The official scorer decides whether the play was messed up by the fielder or if the batter truly earned it.
2. Fielder’s Choice
This is when the defense chooses to throw out a different runner instead of the batter. So, if there’s a runner on first base and the defense gets them out at second instead of trying to get the batter, it’s called a fielder’s choice. The batter gets to first, but it’s not a hit.
3. Walks or Hit-by-Pitches
You might see a batter reach base because they were walked (four balls thrown by the pitcher) or hit by a pitch. Neither of these counts as a hit because, well, they didn’t actually hit the ball. They still get on base, but it’s a different stat altogether.
How Hits Affect a Player’s Batting Average
A player’s batting average is one of the most talked-about stats in baseball, and it’s all about hits. It’s simply the number of hits a player gets divided by their total at-bats. So, if a player has 30 hits in 100 at-bats, their batting average is .300. That means they succeed 30% of the time.
Sounds low, right? But in baseball, that’s actually considered excellent! Hitting a ball with precision and getting it past skilled defenders is no easy task. So, a .300 average means a player is doing something right.
Hits Keep Baseball Alive
Hits are the heartbeat of baseball. Whether it’s a quick single or a jaw-dropping home run, they bring the game to life. And now, the next time you watch a game, you’ll have a better sense of why every hit—no matter how small—matters. There’s skill, strategy, and a bit of luck involved in every swing, and understanding what makes a hit adds to the excitement of the game.
So, the next time a batter steps up to the plate, you’ll know exactly what’s at stake. Each hit isn’t just a stat on a scoreboard—it’s a key moment that could shift the entire game.