Who Bats First in Baseball
In a baseball game, the visiting team always bats first. As the game begins, each team must submit a line-up card to the umpire. This card, prepared by the manager, lists the batting order and is crafted to give the team the best chance to score runs. Typically, the first batter in this order is known as the leadoff hitter and is a player with better-than-average speed, skilled at getting on base. This player might reach base by drawing base balls or getting a base hit, but power is not the focus here. The leadoff hitter’s goal is to get on base to set up scoring opportunities for the batters that follow.
The batting order continues strategically, with the manager normally placing the team’s best hitters in the third, fourth, and fifth spots. This lineup is designed to maximize chances for the leadoff hitter or others already on base to advance, increasing the odds of bringing one or more runners home. Unlike the first batter, these hitters often have more power, ready to capitalize on the base runners in play. Nobody wants to leave scoring to chance, and so managers select their lineup carefully to build momentum from the first inning.
The structure of the baseball game itself is divided into innings, each split into two halves. In the top half of the inning, the players from the visiting team take turns at bat and try to score runs. The home team takes the field, playing defense and trying to prevent the offensive team from scoring. In the bottom half, the teams swap places, with the home team coming up to bat while the visitors field. The team with the most runs by the end of nine innings wins the game.
Baseball’s layout, with its diamond-shaped field, brings structure to the strategy. Starting from home plate, the bases form a square with first base, second base, and third base at each corner. The infield and pitcher’s mound add more depth to the play, while the outfield extends to the first and third baselines. During an inning, the pitcher from the defensive team throws the ball toward the batter, who stands at home plate. The batter’s task is to hit the ball away from the defensive players and run the bases, aiming to round the bases and score by returning to home plate. If the batter is out before reaching first base or strikes out after three good pitches, their turn ends. After three outs, the offensive team’s time at bat is over, and the teams switch roles for the next half of the inning.
Baseball Stats
Baseball isn’t like most other sports; it exists outside of time with no clock to control the game. This timeless nature lets players like DiMaggio or Jimmy Cannon focus fully on play, making every moment feel unique. And to judge a player’s performance, baseball offers a dizzying array of statistics, capturing nearly every aspect of the game in amazing detail. These stats record elements like rounding second or scoring and allow fans, team managers, and analysts to compare performance between one player against another—creating endless ways to celebrate and understand each player’s unique style.
Common player statistics
Here are a few common player statistics that measure everything from batting skills to pitching effectiveness. These statistics let fans, coaches, and analysts evaluate a player’s impact and compare one player to another, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement in baseball.
Offensive Statistics
Batting Average and At Bats
Offensive statistics in baseball offer insights into a player’s scoring ability. Batting average (AVG) is a widely-used metric that shows the number of hits per at bat. Another key measure is at bats (AB), which represents the official number of times a player steps up to the plate. Walks and sacrifices are excluded from this count, as they don’t reflect attempts to hit the ball. Additionally, the number of games played (G) gives context to all stats, revealing how consistently a player performs over the season.
Hits, Doubles, Triples, and Home Runs
Each time a batter reaches home plate safely, it adds to their hits (H), showing how often they reach a base. Hits may be categorized as doubles (2B), where the batter reaches second base, or triples (3B), where they advance to third base. Rounding all bases on a single hit counts as a home run (HR). The number of runs batted in (RBI) reflects how frequently a batter helps teammates score runs but excludes double plays and runs scored due to errors.
Stolen Bases and Base on Balls
Some players utilize speed to aid the team, measured by stolen bases (SB), marking each time a runner reaches the next base without help from a hit. Additionally, base on balls (BB), or walks, occur when the pitcher throws four balls outside the strike zone. These walks allow a batter to reach first base without swinging, offering a strategic advantage.
Strikeouts and Overall Contribution
Lastly, strikeouts (SO) measure the number of times a batter swings and misses on three pitches. While strikeouts can lower a batter’s stats, they are often expected for power hitters aiming for impactful hits. All of these offensive statistics together help fans and teams evaluate a player’s contribution to scoring and advancing in the game.
Pitching Statistics
Games Pitched and Wins
Pitching statistics provide insight into a pitcher’s performance on the mound. The number of games pitched (GP) reflects the total number of games a player has pitched during a season, while innings pitched (IP) gives the cumulative total of innings completed. A starting pitcher is credited with a win (W) if they pitch at least five complete innings and their team leads when they leave and keeps the lead for the rest of the game. In contrast, losses (L) indicate the number of games lost, with the win-loss percentage (PCT) calculated by dividing wins by the sum of wins and losses.
Saves, Hits Allowed, and Base on Balls
For relief pitchers, saves measure how often they finish the game while protecting a potential tying or winning run on base, at bat, or on deck. Hits allowed (H) counts the number of hits given up while pitching, showing how often a pitcher lets batters reach base. Additionally, base on balls (BB) tracks the number of times a pitcher throws four balls outside the strike zone, letting the batter advance to first base without a hit.
Earned Run Average (ERA)
The earned run average (ERA) is a key metric, representing the number of earned runs a pitcher allows every nine innings. To find ERA, the total number of earned runs is multiplied by nine and then divided by the number of innings pitched. This calculation gives a clearer view of a pitcher’s ability to prevent runs and helps fans and managers understand the pitcher’s reliability over the season for more details check out our guide on ERA in baseball.
Baseball Glossary
Balk
A balk is an illegal motion made by the pitcher with runners on base, aiming to catch them off balance. This motion allows all runners to advance one base, as the pitcher breaks one of the regulated movements of pitching.
Ball
A ball is a pitch that does not enter the strike zone and is not struck by the batter.
Base
The base in baseball refers to one of the four points on the diamond: first, second, third, and home plate. Runners must touch these bases to score a run.
Batter and Batter’s Box
The batter is the offensive player in the batter’s box, aiming to make contact with the pitch. The batter’s box is the designated area next to home plate where the batter stands.
Bottom and Top of the Inning
The bottom half of an inning is when the home team bats, while the top half is when the visiting team takes their turn.
Bunt and Catch
A bunt is a legally batted ball that the batter taps lightly within the infield. A catch is when a fielder secures the ball with their hand or glove and holds it firmly.
Catcher and Defense
The catcher is a defensive player positioned behind home plate. Defense refers to the team on the field working to prevent the other team from scoring.
Designated Hitter and Double
The designated hitter is a player who bats in place of the pitcher. A double occurs when the batter safely reaches second base on a hit without stopping.
Double Header and Double Play
A double header is when two games are played consecutively. A double play is a defensive action where two players on the opposing team are put out as part of one continuous play.
Dugout and Fair Ball
The dugout is the seating area for team members not currently on the field. A fair ball is a batted ball that lands or rolls in fair territory.
Fielder and Fielder’s Choice
A fielder is one of the nine defensive players, including pitcher, catcher, and basemen. Fielder’s choice refers to a situation where a fielder opts to put out a runner instead of the batter.
Fly Ball, Force Play, and Forfeited Game
A fly ball is hit high into the air, while a force play occurs when a runner is forced to advance to the next base due to the batter becoming a runner. A forfeited game is one awarded to a team due to rule violations.
Foul Ball and Foul Territory
A foul ball is a batted ball that lands in foul territory, which is outside the first and third base lines.
Ground Ball and Ground Rule Double
A ground ball is a hit that rolls along the ground. A ground rule double is when a batted ball bounces into the stands in fair territory, allowing the batter to advance to second base.
Home Plate and Home Run
Home plate is the starting and scoring point on the field. A home run is when the batter hits the ball out of the field in fair territory, allowing them to round all bases and score.
Home Team, Infield, and Infielder
The home team is the team hosting the game. The infield is the diamond-shaped portion around the bases, and an infielder occupies this area.
Infield Fly and Inning
The infield fly rule is called to protect runners from being doubled off when a fly ball is hit and can be caught by an infielder. An inning is divided into two halves where each team takes turns on offense and defense.
Line Drive, Offense, and Out
A line drive is a batted ball that travels directly in a straight line. Offense is the team that is batting, and an out occurs when a player is declared not entitled to a base.
Outfield, Outfielder, and Pitch
The outfield is the area beyond the infield, and an outfielder is positioned here. A pitch is the ball thrown to the batter by the pitcher.
Pitcher and Quick Return Pitch
The pitcher is the player who throws the ball to the batter. A quick return pitch is an illegal pitch made to catch the batter off guard.
Run, Runner, and Safe
A run is scored when a player reaches home plate after rounding the bases. A runner is any offensive player advancing on the bases. A safe call by the umpire means the runner is entitled to the base.
Single, Strike, and Strike Zone
A single is a hit allowing the batter to reach first base. A strike is a pitch the batter misses or doesn’t swing at in the strike zone. The strike zone is the area over home plate where pitches must pass to be considered strikes.
Tag, Throw, and Triple
A tag is when a fielder touches a runner with the ball or their glove. A throw is the act of passing the ball to a teammate, and a triple is a hit that allows the batter to reach third base.
Triple Play and Umpire
A triple play is a defensive play that results in three outs. The umpire is the official who oversees the game and enforces the rules.
History of Who Bats First in Baseball
In the early 20th century, it wasn’t yet a rule that the visiting team bats first in a baseball game. Before this de facto standard was set, teams actually had a choice on who would take the plate first, and many home teams viewed batting first as a tactical advantage. It allowed them to throw off the opposing pitcher right from the start, especially in front of a rambunctious crowd cheering them on. Officials soon required the visiting team to bat first as part of standardizing the game.
As time wore on, managers and researchers found more strategic value in batting last during the final inning. This gave the home team one last chance to score, often outweighing the short-term benefit of batting first. Franklin Lowenthal and Stephen Shmanske, two researchers from California State University, studied this closely and considered the advantages of batting first in the inning. They found that while home teams won the majority of games, it was by a small margin. Interestingly, visiting teams playing on neutral fields, such as in the College World Series, sometimes showed a higher winning percentage.
Fans and experts like Theodore Turocy, a baseball fan who specializes in game theory, suggest that home teams often win more games not just because they bat last, but because they feel more comfortable in their home surroundings. For neutral park games in Major League Baseball, officials decide beforehand which team will play as the home team, usually by a coin toss. There are also instances where a visiting team might be considered the home team and bat last, especially if a game is moved to the visiting team’s ballpark for non-baseball reasons.
The home field advantage has become an important part of postseason play. In the regular season, each team plays an equal number of home and away games. But in the postseason, the team with a better record gains home field advantage. Until 2003, the World Series alternated between American and National League teams, but starting in 2004, officials awarded the World Series to the league that won the All-Star game. This practice changed again in 2017 after a new collective bargaining agreement, awarding the World Series to the team with the best regular season performance.
Historically, home teams have a slight edge in baseball, including in the playoffs. They win about .550 of their games at home, compared to .450 on the road. In fact, only seven teams since 1903 have managed a .700 winning percentage or better, with the Seattle Mariners achieving .716 in 2001. A 2013 Bleacher Report investigation by Jason Catania found that even in the playoffs, home field only slightly boosts a team’s chances, with home teams winning just 51% of the series during the period studied.
Home Field and the Postseason
In the playoffs, home teams enjoy a unique advantage. A study of series from 2003 to 2012 showed home teams won 51% of the time, or 37 out of 70 series. This slight edge may seem small, but Chris Gorski, editor of InsideScience, explains that this advantage comes from more than just the fact they bat last. Home teams also tend to lead visitors in nearly every statistical category, a pattern that holds true in other major sports too, though it’s typically less impactful.
The advantage at home can vary by factors like age and specialization in players. Ezoic reports that home teams often organize their defense, pitching, and offense to match their individual fields. For instance, a team used to a larger field will adjust their defensive scheme accordingly, while visiting teams must adapt on the spot. Thanks to player data and analyzation, visiting teams can carry out matching specialization as well, though it may shrink the home field advantage somewhat.
Every team aims to secure home field for the postseason, as this can give them a mental edge over opponents. In a five-game series, every bat, hit, and pitch count feels exaggerated, and visiting teams must meet the challenge by scoring runs early to shift the momentum. A strong start in the top of the 1st inning can quickly put the home team on their heels, introducing a dynamic battle of momentum, strategy, and cunning as each side works to control the game.
Interestingly, data from RetroSheet, spanning 146 years and 377,340 games up to 2016, highlights that the first inning often has the most action. It documents that 30% of runs scored happen in this initial inning, making it the most prolific scoring period in the entire game. This pattern is seen across pee-wee leagues to the majors, where a speedy leadoff hitter with sheer acceleration can disrupt the opposing pitcher’s rhythm by inching closer to second base, forcing the defense to react quickly.
Managers also recognize the value of a strong start and often construct lineups to seize this advantage. While the home team enjoys multiple advantages, a savvy visiting manager who knows both his players and the competition can use this knowledge to gain an edge. By putting runs on the scoreboard in the first inning, they can set the tone early, increasing their odds of winning and changing the momentum of the game.
History of Coming to the Plate First
In baseball’s history, deciding who would bat first wasn’t always as straightforward as it is today. In the early 20th century, it wasn’t a de facto standard for the visiting team to bat first. Teams actually had a choice back then, and many home teams believed that batting first provided a tactical advantage. This advantage was often calculated to throw off the opposing pitcher, especially with the energy from a rambunctious crowd. But as time wore on, officials required the visiting team to bat first, making it the norm across the league.
Over time, managers started seeing more strategic value in having the home team bat last, as it gave them a final chance to score in the last inning if the game was close. Research by Franklin Lowenthal and Stephen Shmanske at California State University examined the advantages of batting first and found that home teams won the majority of the time—though not by an overwhelming margin. Interestingly, they noted that visiting teams in neutral fields or tournaments like the College World Series sometimes showed a higher winning percentage.
Some experts, like Theodore Turocy, a baseball fan who specializes in game theory, believe home teams win more games not just because they bat last, but because they feel more comfortable in their surroundings. In neutral park games in Major League Baseball, officials decide beforehand which team will be designated as the home team, often with a coin toss. In rare instances, a visiting team may be considered the home team and bat last, such as when games are moved to a visiting team’s ballpark for non-baseball reasons.
F&Q
Who Bats First in Baseball?
In baseball, the visiting team customarily bats first in the top or first half of the inning, while the home team waits until the bottom, or second half, to bat. The goal of the game is simple: to score more points (called runs) than the other team. Each team takes turns batting and fielding through nine innings, with the visiting team batting at the start of each inning.
Who Made the First Baseball Bat?
The first baseball bat was made by Hillerich at his woodworking shop in Louisville around the 1880s. According to legend, Hillerich crafted the first bat for Pete Browning, a famous ballplayer nicknamed The Louisville Slugger. Browning’s success with the bat quickly led to more orders for Hillerich’s bats, marking the beginning of a long tradition in baseball.
Does the Home or Away Team Bat First?
In each game, the visiting team bats first, while the home team starts on the field playing defense. During this time, each fielder takes a place in one of the 9 fielding positions. The first batter steps into the batter’s box, ready to hit the pitch. There’s a batter’s box on both sides of home plate, allowing the batter to choose their preferred stance.