Stat of the Week: Singles (1B), Doubles (2B), Triples (3B), & Home Runs (HR)
Last week, we discussed what a “Hit” was. It is crucial to understand this before we dive into these conditions, as each condition is a type of hit.
A single (1B) or base hit occurs when the batter hits the ball into play and reaches 1st base safely. In order for a batter to be credited with a double (2B), the batter (now a “baserunner”) must reach 1st base safely and then 2nd base safely. In order for a batter to be credited with a triple (3B) (you guessed it) they must reach 3rd base safely after touching 1st base and 2nd base.
A home run (HR) exists in two conditions:
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The batter hits the ball over the outfield wall in “fair territory”(area in-between the two foul poles in left and right field).
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The batter hits the ball into play and the runner advances all the way to home plate safely.
It is important to note that the baserunner must touch every base they’re attempting to reach while the ball is in play. If they fail to do so, they must go back to that base (in reverse order), touch it, then continue to advance. If a defensive player in possession of the ball beats the runner there, the runner will be called out.
The baserunner will not be credited with any of these conditions if they reached any of these bases on an error or fielder’s choice. If the baserunner attempts to reach 2nd, 3rd, or home plate after touching 1st base, but is called out at any of those bases by an umpire, the baserunner will still be credited with a hit in the official scorebook.
