2019 FYSSL LEADERS
2019 FYSSL LEADERS
FOREVER YOUNG SENIOR
Softball League
Slash Line 101
A slash line depicts a player's batting average first, on-base percentage second, and slugging percentage third (AVG/OBP/SLG). The latter two statistics are added together to generate a player's OPS (on-base plus slugging).
AVG
We are all familiar with this statistic. It has been the basic metric in which we have measured a batter's proficiency over the course of our lifetime. A batting average (BA) of .300 or better was defined as the Success Line or a goal each player tries to attain. A batting average of .200 was kiddingly known as the Mendoza Line. (Mario Mendoza played infield for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 70's. Besides being a very good fielder, his batting average usually hovered around .200 throughout his career.)
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BA = H
AB
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OBP
On-Base Percentage (OBP) measures the most important thing a batter can do at the plate: That is, to not make an out.
Players with high on-base percentages avoid making outs and reach base at a high rate. A player with a high OBP extends the inning and gives his team more chances to score.
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OBP = H+BB+HBP
OPS
On-Base plus Slugging (OPS) is exactly as it sounds. That is, the sum of a player’s on-base percentage and his slugging percentage.
The thinking today is that OPS is a better statistic than something like batting average (BA) or runs-batted-in (RBI). The argument is that OPS captures a player’s ability to get on base while emphasizing his ability to hit for extra bases. For the most part, those two factors exhibit what all hitters have been trying to do since the days of Abner Doubleday. Because there are two variables that determine OPS, an importance struggle and varied opinion exists between OBP and SLG. Typically, one point of OBP and one point of SLG are not equal. It is estimated, that OBP is about twice as valuable as SLG. This theory says that OPS overrates power hitters and underrates high-OBP guys. In other words, is it better to hit home runs or to consistently get on base?
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SLG = TB
AB
TB = (1B+(2 x 2B)+(3 x 3B)+(4 x HR))
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OPS = OBP + SLG
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OPS = AB(H+BB+HBP) + TB(AB+BB+SF+HBP)
AB(AB+BB+SF+HBP)
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KEY:
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H = hits
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BB = bases on balls
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HBP = times hit by pitch
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AB = at bats
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SF = sacrifice flies
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TB = total bases
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The main issue in our sport today is whether human opinion with an eye/gut rating of good old school scouting or some wild convoluted formula ( using saber metrics ) would better predict the success of a player. Ironically, the answer is probably a combination of both.
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