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The sacrifice fly is one of two instances in baseball where a batter is not charged with a time at bat after putting a ball in play; the other is the sacrifice hit (also known as a sacrifice bunt). But, while a sacrifice fly does not affect a player's batting average , it counts as a plate appearance and lowers the on-base percentage .
On long fly ball outs, runners can often gain a base; when a runner scores by these means, this is called a sacrifice fly. [2] On short fly balls, runners seldom attempt to advance after tagging up, due to the high risk of being thrown out.
Rule 9.02(a)(1) of the official rules of Major League Baseball defines an at bat as: "Number of times batted, except that no time at bat shall be charged when a player: (A) hits a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly; (B) is awarded first base on four called balls; (C) is hit by a pitched ball; or (D) is awarded first base because of interference or ...
hits a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly; or; is awarded first base on four called balls; or; is hit by a pitched ball; or; is awarded first base because of interference or obstruction. In common parlance, the term "at bat" is sometimes used to mean "plate appearance" (for example, "he fouled off the ball to keep the at bat alive").
The statistic was invented in the late 1940s by Brooklyn Dodgers statistician Allan Roth with then-Dodgers general manager Branch Rickey. [3] [4] In 1954, Rickey, who was then the general manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates, was featured in a Life Magazine graphic in which the formula for on-base percentage was shown as the first component of an all-encompassing "offense" equation. [5]
There are many occasions on which hitting a sacrifice fly is the desired outcome of a plate appearance, especially if a double play is possible in the event of a ground ball or line drive. Indeed, expert commentary will applaud a batter who successfully hits a sacrifice fly, particular if the run scored is a tying or winning run in late innings.
Sacrifice fly appeal, Japan vs. United States [ edit ] In the top of the eighth inning of the second-round game between Japan and United States, a Japanese run was nullified when the umpiring crew ruled that Tsuyoshi Nishioka , who was on third base, left the base before USA left fielder Randy Winn caught the ball.
Sacrifice play may refer to: Sacrifice fly, in baseball; Bunt (baseball), in baseball; Sacrifice (chess), in chess; Coup (bridge), a play in the card game contract ...