In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes referred to as on-base average [OBA], as the statistic is rarely presented as a true percentage) is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference (the latter two are ignored as either times-on-base (TOB) or plate appearances in calculating OBP). Statistics play an important role in summarizing Baseball performance and evaluating players in the Sport. In Mathematics, a percentage is a way of expressing a number as a Fraction of 100 ( per cent meaning "per hundred" In Baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing Pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team In Baseball statistics|statistics]] an error is the act in the judgment of the Official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner In Baseball, fielder's choice (abbreviated FC) is a term used to refer to a variety of plays involving an offensive player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt In Baseball, interference is an infraction where a person illegally changes the course of play from what is expected In Baseball statistics, the term times on base, also abbreviated as TOB, is the cumulative total number of times a batter has been awarded for reaching In Baseball statistics, a player is credited with a plate appearance (denoted by PA) each time he completes a turn batting OBP is added to slugging average to determine on-base plus slugging (OPS). In Baseball statistics, slugging percentage (abbreviated SLG) is a popular measure of the power of a hitter. On-base plus slugging (OPS is a baseball statistic calculated as the sum of a player's On-base percentage and Slugging percentage. It first became an official MLB statistic in 1984. Year 1984 ( MCMLXXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1984 Gregorian calendar)

Contents 1 Overview 1.1 All-time leaders 1.2 Single Season Leaders 2 See also 3 Notes

Overview

Traditionally, the best leadoff hitters in the game have high on-base percentages. The league average for on-base percentage has varied considerably over time; in the modern era it is around . 340, whereas it was typically only . 300 in the dead-ball era. The dead-ball era is a Baseball term used to describe the period between 1900 (though some date it to the beginning of baseball) and the emergence of Babe Ruth On-base percentage can also vary quite considerably from player to player. The record for the highest career OBP by a hitter, based on over 3000 plate appearances, is . In Baseball statistics, a player is credited with a plate appearance (denoted by PA) each time he completes a turn batting 482 by Ted Williams. Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams ( August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) also nicknamed The Kid, the Splendid Splinter The lowest is by Bill Bergen, who had an OBP of . William Aloysius "Bill" Bergen (1878-1943 was a Major League Baseball Catcher in the early 20th century 194.

Though extremely unlikely, it is possible for a player's on-base percentage to be lower than his batting average (H/AB). Batting average is a Statistic in both Cricket and Baseball measuring the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters, respectively However very few players in major league history fall into this category, with the majority of them having under 100 ABs, as it requires having almost no walks or times hit by pitch, with a relatively higher number of sacrifice flies (e. A base on balls ( BB) is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in Baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire In Baseball, hit by pitch ( HBP) or hit batsman ( HB) refers to the batter being hit in some part of the body by a pitch from the In Baseball, a batted ball is considered a sacrifice fly if the following four criteria are met There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit g. if a player has 2 hits in 6 at bats with a sacrifice fly, his batting average would be . 333, but his on-base percentage would be . 286).

On-base percentage is calculated using this formula:

where

• H = Hits
• BB = Bases on Balls (Walks)
• HBP = times Hit By a Pitch
• AB = At bats
• SF = Sacrifice Flies

NOTE: Sacrifice flies were not counted as an official statistic until 1954. In Baseball statistics, a hit (denoted by H) sometimes called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches A base on balls ( BB) is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in Baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire In Baseball, hit by pitch ( HBP) or hit batsman ( HB) refers to the batter being hit in some part of the body by a pitch from the In Baseball, an at bat ( AB) or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including Batting average, On base In Baseball, a batted ball is considered a sacrifice fly if the following four criteria are met There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Giants over Cleveland Indians (4-0 All-Star Game Before that time, all sacrifices were counted as sacrifice hits (SH), which included both sacrifice flies and bunts. A bunt is a special type of offensive technique in Baseball or fastpitch softball. Bunts (sacrifice hits since 1954), which would lower a batter's on-base percentage, are not included in the calculation for on-base percentage, as bunting is an offensive strategy – often dictated by the manager – the use of which does not necessarily reflect on the batter's ability and should not be used to penalize him. For calculations of OBP before 1954, or where sacrifice flies are not explicitly listed, the number of sacrifice flies should be assumed to be zero.

All-time leaders

#	Player	OBP[1]	Team(s)	Year(s)
1	Ted Williams	. Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams ( August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) also nicknamed The Kid, the Splendid Splinter 4817	Boston Red Sox	1939–1960
2	Babe Ruth	. The Boston Red Sox are a Professional baseball team based in Boston Massachusetts, and are the reigning (2007 World Series Champions. Headline Event of the Year On May 17, 1939, Princeton University and Columbia University played the first televised baseball Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over New York Yankees (4-3 Bobby Richardson, George Herman Ruth Jr (February 6 1895 &ndash August 16 1948 also popularly known as " Babe " " The Bambino " and " The Sultan of 4740	Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Boston Braves	1914–1935
3	John McGraw	. The Boston Red Sox are a Professional baseball team based in Boston Massachusetts, and are the reigning (2007 World Series Champions. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. Champions World Series: Boston Braves over Philadelphia Athletics (4-0 Awards and honors Chalmers Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Detroit Tigers over Chicago Cubs (4-2 All-Star Game, 4657	Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants	1891–1906
4	Billy Hamilton	. The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York City suburb of East Rutherford New Jersey. Champions National League: Boston Beaneaters American Association: Boston Reds Major League Champions World Series: Chicago White Sox over Chicago Cubs (4-2 Awards and honors Statistical Leaders William Robert "Sliding Billy" Hamilton (b February 16, 1866, d 4552	Kansas City Cowboys, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Beaneaters	1888–1901
5	Lou Gehrig	. The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Champions World Series: New York Giants 6 St Louis Browns 4 National League: New York Giants Champions Major League Baseball American League: Chicago White Stockings National League: Pittsburgh Pirates Henry Louis "Lou" Gehrig ( June 19 1903  – June 2 1941) born Ludwig Heinrich Gehrig, was an American 4474	New York Yankees	1923–1939
6	Barry Bonds	. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. Champions World Series: New York Yankees over New York Giants (4-2 Awards and honors League Headline Event of the Year On May 17, 1939, Princeton University and Columbia University played the first televised baseball Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24 1964 is a Major League Baseball Outfielder who is currently a Free agent. 4446	Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants	1986–2007
7	Bill Joyce	. The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Mets over Boston Red Sox (4-3 Ray Knight, MVP Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Minor League Baseball Bill Joyce ( September 21, 1865 - May 8, 1941) was a professional Baseball player. 4349	Brooklyn Ward's Wonders, Boston Reds, Brooklyn Grooms, Washington Senators, New York Giants	1890–1898
8	Rogers Hornsby	. The Brooklyn Ward's Wonders was a team who played in the Players League in 1890 The Boston Reds were a 19th century Baseball team located in Boston Massachusetts that played in the Players League in 1890 and in the American Association The Los Angeles Dodgers are a Major League Baseball team based in Los Angeles California, USA The Washington Senators were a 19th century Baseball team The team was also known as the Washington Statesmen and the Washington Nationals. The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York City suburb of East Rutherford New Jersey. Champions World Series: Brooklyn Bridegrooms 3 Louisville Colonels 3 1 tie National League: Brooklyn Bridegrooms Champions National League: Boston Beaneaters National League final standings Events Rogers Hornsby ( April 27, 1896 in Winters Texas - January 5, 1963 in Chicago Illinois) nicknamed "The Rajah" 4337	St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns	1915–1937
9	Ty Cobb	. The St Louis Cardinals (also referred to as "the Cards " or "the Redbirds " are a professional Baseball team based in St The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York City suburb of East Rutherford New Jersey. The Chicago Cubs are a Professional Baseball franchise based in Chicago, Illinois. The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland. Champions World Series: Boston Red Sox over Philadelphia Phillies (4-1 Awards and honors Champions Major League Baseball World Series: New York Yankees over New York Giants (4-1 All-Star Game Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb (December 18 1886 – July 17 1961 nicknamed " The Georgia Peach," was a baseball player and is regarded by historians 4330	Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Athletics	1905–1928
10	Todd Helton	. The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan, USA The Oakland Athletics are a professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. Champions World Series: New York Giants over Philadelphia Athletics (4-1 Awards and honors MLB Statistical Champions World Series: New York Yankees over St Louis Cardinals Awards and honors League Todd Lynn Helton (born August 20, 1973 in Knoxville Tennessee) is the starting First baseman for the Colorado Rockies of 4291	Colorado Rockies	1997–2007

Single Season Leaders

#	Player	OBP[2]	Team	Year(s)
1	Barry Bonds	. The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Florida Marlins over Cleveland Indians (4-3 Liván Hernández, Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Minor League Baseball Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24 1964 is a Major League Baseball Outfielder who is currently a Free agent. 609	San Francisco Giants	2004
2	Barry Bonds	. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. Headline events of the year The Boston Red Sox win their first World Series since, ending the Curse of the Bambino. Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24 1964 is a Major League Baseball Outfielder who is currently a Free agent. 582	San Francisco Giants	2002
3	Ted Williams	. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams ( August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) also nicknamed The Kid, the Splendid Splinter 551	Boston Red Sox	1941
4	Babe Ruth	. The Boston Red Sox are a Professional baseball team based in Boston Massachusetts, and are the reigning (2007 World Series Champions. Headline events of the year Joe Dimaggio hits in 56 consecutive games George Herman Ruth Jr (February 6 1895 &ndash August 16 1948 also popularly known as " Babe " " The Bambino " and " The Sultan of 542	New York Yankees	1923
5	Barry Bonds	. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. Champions World Series: New York Yankees over New York Giants (4-2 Awards and honors League Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24 1964 is a Major League Baseball Outfielder who is currently a Free agent. 529	San Francisco Giants	2003
6	Babe Ruth	. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. Headline event of the year The Florida Marlins become World Series champions holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team 4 games to George Herman Ruth Jr (February 6 1895 &ndash August 16 1948 also popularly known as " Babe " " The Bambino " and " The Sultan of 528	New York Yankees	1920
7	Ted Williams	. The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of The Bronx, in New York City, New York. Champions World Series: Cleveland Indians over Brooklyn Robins (5-2 Awards and honors Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams ( August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) also nicknamed The Kid, the Splendid Splinter 526	Boston Red Sox	1957
8	Billy Hamilton	. The Boston Red Sox are a Professional baseball team based in Boston Massachusetts, and are the reigning (2007 World Series Champions. Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Milwaukee Braves over New York Yankees (4-3 Lew Burdette, MVP William Hamilton (and shortened forms may refer to Europeans William Hamilton (Lord Chancellor, (d 517	Philadelphia Phillies	1894
9	Barry Bonds	. The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Champions Temple Cup: New York Giants defeated Baltimore Orioles, 4 games to 0 National League: Baltimore Barry Lamar Bonds (born July 24 1964 is a Major League Baseball Outfielder who is currently a Free agent. 515	San Francisco Giants	2001
10	Ted Williams	. The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in, that currently play in the National League West Division. Champions Major League Baseball Regular Season Champions Other champions Caribbean World Series: Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams ( August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) also nicknamed The Kid, the Splendid Splinter 512	Boston Red Sox	1954

See also

• List of MLB players with a .400 on-base percentage
• Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

Notes

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