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Quality At Bat Statistic
Forget The Evil Batting Average Stat
I am a firm believer that every baseball coach should keep track of every quality at bat that his player's produce during the season. I would even recommend coming up with a stat that is called "QAB %" (Quality At Bats Percentage). This new stat will help all player's mental side of hitting, which is a very important part of the game.
Believing in yourself is huge!
Read on if you agree:
Batting Average Is Evil
As a player, I can remember many times when I went 0-5, but hit three or four screaming line drives directly at a fielder. After the game, I would look at my stats and get stressed out that my batting average dropped. Believe me... That is the wrong way to look at your stats!
Former professional baseball player Steve Springer taught me and everyone he spoke to that, in baseball, the batting average is EVIL! Spring says that the batting average puts players (youth all the way up to the big leagues) in a poor mental-state whenever it drops.
So, even though a player may have had four quality at bats during a game, his batting average dropped significantly. That doesn't make sense! Instead, that player should look at the quality of his at bats during the game and conclude that he had a great game!
Seriously... Get rid of the batting average as a team stat and replace it with a "Quality At Bats Percentage" stat!
What Can Baseball Coaches Do?
As a coach, it's your duty to take that stress off of your players. Don't ever publish your team's batting averages! Simply keep track of their quality at bats and explain to your players that you will be looking at that stat, and that stat only, when it comes to offensive performance. If you sell this to your players and get them to really believe in that, your team will win! (NOTE: That "sell" will be hard at first, but stress it hard and, over time, your players will start believing.)
If your players concern themselves with quality at bats, they will not get down mentally like thousands of players do each and every year. If they hit a screaming line drive, they know they succeeded and it will show in the stat that counts. If they lay down a sacrifice bunt properly, they know they succeeded. If your player hits a ground ball to the 2nd baseman with a runner on 2nd (with less than 2 outs), it was a good at bat because he moved the base-runner over. All of these situations and many more will show REAL OFFENSIVE PERFORMANCE on the baseball diamond.
In short, rethink how you assess your baseball players offensive performance. Sell the "QAB Percentage" stat to your players and use it during the season. Forget about the batting average! If you do these things, you will see your team improve and you won't have to deal with the mental aspect of the game as much.
NOBODY can argue with this logic. It just makes sense!
Calculating the Quality At Bats Percentage Stat
In all honesty, I would come up with your own idea of what constitutes a quality at bat. Once you know know what a quality at bat includes, use this formula:
Number of Quality At Bats divided by Total Plate Appearances
Below are things I would consider "quality" in an at bat:
Base hit
Base on ball (Walk)
Hard-hit line drive which resulted in an out
Long at bat that resulted in an out (pitcher threw numerous pitches for one at bat)
Hit by pitch
Sacrifice Bunt
Moved a baserunner up a base
Sacrifice Fly>
Squeeze Bunt
There are many more situations where you, as coach, could award a quality at bat to your players. Keep track of that stat in the stat-book by simply putting a "Q" next to that player's at-bat. I guarantee that you and your players will love this stat!
How does this help a parent of a baseball player?
Even if you are not the coach of your son's baseball team, the Quality At Bat stat is a GREAT stat for you to keep with your son at home. There are many coaches that haven't thought about this topic, so you can help your kid by introducing it to him. If you feel comfortable about talking to your son's coach, explain your thoughts to him about the "QAB" stat.
I was first introduced to the "QAB" stat by Steve Springer, an ex -professional baseball player. He has a fabulous CD/DVD package that he sells and I have listened to it quite a few times. I learn something new every time!
Steve is the performance coach for the Toronto Blue Jays (also a scout) and has either played or been part of professional baseball for almost three decades. He knows what he is talking about and he can back up what he says!
Many professional hitters listen to "Spring's" CD/DVD on a regular basis. Read all the Quality At Bats testimonials from big-time baseball players and how Steve Springer has helped them.
As a coach and a parent, I simply put the CD in my car's stereo and listen to Steve's common sense approach. It helps me explain to my player's what is important when it comes to offensive baseball. It is also very important for me, as a parent, to explain to my kid why the batting average is evil and how having a "Quality At Bat" will help him and his team.
Check out the video clip below:
Purchasing this CD/DVD is a NO-BRAINER for every baseball coach and parent!
How Can You Purchase CD/DVD Combo by Steve Springer?
If you are interested in learning more about getting your player/s better at bats, you can purchase Steve Springer's CD/DVD combo. There are two different options for getting the same product:
In my opinion, you are doing your youth baseball players a disservice if you don't order Steve Springer's product. Many parents pay $50 per hour for a hitting lesson and continue to do this week after week which costs a ton of money.
For $59.95, you can have this product and use it whenever you want and however many times you want. You will get better results too!
Whenever a player goes in a slump, have him listen to the cd. It will refocus him on what is important! The mental side of hitting will help him refocus and put together better at bats.
Again, this product is a no-brainer! Get it today!
Do You Think The Batting Average Is Evil?
Share your thoughts on the batting average and keeping a "Quality At Bat" stat!
What Other Visitors Have Said
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
We Use Quality At Bat's and Steve Springer's CD
As a youth baseball coach for many years, I can say that getting your players to believe in focusing on having a quality at bat is one of the most important ...
Batting Averages are for the "Average" Team
For our program (JM Fastpitch), we preach the importance of "quality" at bats, not batting average. Averages are nice for publicity, recruitment, other ...
Quality at Bats
I have also never been a fan of the Batting Average, however, many live or die by it. This article brings up some valid points about the Quality At Bats....
Parents spend $50 for a 1/2 hr hitting lesson, and go back next week and spend another $50 for another lesson. This goes on and on...
For a one-time cost of $59.95, you can get two of the most powerful instructional baseball hitting videos and cd combo that will make a way bigger impact on your son's future.
Who Is It For?
"Spring's coaching drills and strategies for hitting a baseball promote the mental aspect of hitting. Spring's hitting strategy is what youth, little league, high school, college and professional hitters and coaches agree works."
Get Your Mental Approach Right
A hitter's mental approach is extremely important. Keeping an even keel and staying focused on obtainable goals are keys for success. By concentrating on attacking the inside part of the baseball and hitting the ball hard - you have set attainable goals.Spring's baseball hitting lessons incorporate the mental side of hitting along with increasing bat speed drills and coaching improved hitting mechanics. After watching this unique DVD and listening to his CD, your approach will never be the same. We guarantee it!
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I am a firm believer that every baseball coach should keep track of every quality at bat that his player's produce during the season. I would even recommend coming up with a stat that is called "QAB %" (Quality At Bats Percentage). This new stat will help all player's mental side of hitting, which is a very important part of the game. 
