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What does the K mean in baseball scoring?

Author

Rachel Ellis

Published Jan 11, 2026

In the scorebook, a strikeout is denoted by the letter K. A third-strike call on which the batter doesn't swing is denoted with a backward K.

What does K stand for in baseball?

Definition. A "K" is a strikeout.

Why are strikes called K?

A “K” is used to refer to a strikeout in baseball because the letter “S” was already used to score a sacrifice. So Henry Chadwick, the inventor of the box score, began using the letter “K” in the 1860s because it is the last letter of “struck”, which was the common term for a strikeout at the time.

Why is a strikeout looking a backwards K?

One reason the letter “K” was used because “K” was the prominent letter of the word strike. Another reason the letter "K" is used is that it is made with 3 strokes of the pencil, symbolizing the 3 strikes for the strikeout.

What does LOB mean in baseball?

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.

41 related questions found

Why are there 4 balls and 3 strikes?

That created a bit of a pace problem, so in 1858, called strikes were implemented with one caveat: batters would receive one "warning" call for the first hittable pitch they let pass. So, effectively, it would require four strikes to make an out.

What is K percentage?

Strikeout Rate (K%)

Strikeout rate represents the frequency with which a pitcher strikes out hitters, as determined by total strikeouts divided by total batters faced. The K rate leaderboards are generally made up of the game's best pitchers.

What's a good K 9?

For starting pitchers the top and bottom 20th percentile are a K/9 above 7.56 and below 4.89. Relievers top and bottom 20th percentiles are a K/9 above 8.94 and below 5.54.

Why is the third K in baseball backwards?

In baseball scorekeeping, a swinging strikeout is recorded as a K, or a K-S. A strikeout looking (where the batter does not swing at a pitch that the umpire then calls strike three) is often scored with a backwards K (ꓘ), and sometimes as a K-L, CK, or Kc (the 'c' for 'called' strike).

What is the highest pitch count in MLB?

There is a Maximum of 110 pitches per game or in any one day; If a pitcher reaches the 110 pitch limit while facing a batter, the pitcher may continue to pitch until one of the following occurs. o The batter reaches base, o That batter is retired, or o The third out is recorded to complete that half-inning or game.

What does SB mean in baseball?

A stolen base occurs when a baserunner advances by taking a base to which he isn't entitled. This generally occurs when a pitcher is throwing a pitch, but it can also occur while the pitcher still has the ball or is attempting a pickoff, or as the catcher is throwing the ball back to the pitcher.

Do sacrifice bunts count as an at bat?

A successful sacrifice bunt does not count as an at bat, does not impact a player's batting average, and counts as a plate appearance. Unlike a sacrifice fly, a sacrifice bunt is not included in the calculation of the player's on-base percentage.

What is a lollipop in baseball?

lollipop. A soft, straight pitch with a lot of arc. long ball. A home run. A team is said to "win by the long ball" after a walk off home run or the team hits several home runs to win.

How do you calculate K 9 in Baseball?

K/9 rate measures how many strikeouts a pitcher averages for every nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing his strikeout total by his innings pitched total and multiplying the result by nine.

What is K BB Baseball?

Definition. K/BB ratio tells us how many strikeouts a pitcher records for each walk he allows. The number is found simply by dividing a pitcher's total number of strikeouts by his total number of walks. It's an essential tool for evaluating pitchers.

What is an average in baseball?

Batting Average (AVG)

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).

What is considered a good strikeout to walk ratio?

Over the last three years, the average strikeout to walk ratio for a starting pitcher is 2.8, meaning pitchers on average strikeout 2.8 hitters for every one they walk.

What is a homerun in baseball?

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.

What happens if a catcher catches a foul tip?

A foul tip is a batted ball that goes sharply and directly to the catcher's hand or glove and is legally caught. A foul tip is considered equivalent to a ball in which the batter swings and misses, in that the baserunners are able to advance at their own risk (without needing to tag up).

What do umpires say when it's a strike?

Typically an umpire will shout "Strike" on a strike call and raise their right hand. (traditionally they would point to the right, but that's not typical anymore). On a ball, they may indicate the count, but typically will not say anything at all.

What does G mean in baseball?

G – Games played: The number of games the player has appeared in during the current MLB season. AB – At bats: The number of times the player has been at bat, defined as plate appearances minus sacrifices, walks, and Hit by Pitches.

What does E mean in baseball?

The E on a baseball scoreboard stands for Errors and is the number of errors awarded to the defense during the duration of the game. This number calculates all the defensive errors per team and gives spectators a general idea of how well a team is doing defensively.