At bat
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In baseball statistics, an at bat (AB) is used to calculate other data such as batting average. A batter has an at bat every time he faces a pitcher except under the following circumstances:
- He receives a base on balls (BB).
- He is hit by a pitch (HBP).
- He hits a sacrifice fly or a sacrifice bunt.
- He is awarded first base due to interference or obstruction, usually by the catcher.
- The inning ends while he is still at bat (due to the third out being made by a runner caught stealing, for example).
- He is replaced by another hitter before his at bat is completed.
Examples
An at bat is counted when
- the batter reaches first base on a hit
- the batter reaches first base on an error
- the batter is called out for any reason
- there is a fielder's choice
- other less common circumstances occur
At bat as a phrase
"At bat," "up," "up at bat," and "at the plate" are phrases in baseball describing someone that is facing the pitcher. Interestingly, just because a player is described as being at bat (facing the pitcher) does not mean he will be given an at bat in his statistics, and in fact just signifies a plate appearance.