Essential Sports Statistics to Know for Sports Journalism

Understanding essential sports statistics is crucial for sports journalism. These metrics, like batting average and quarterback rating, help evaluate player performance and impact. They provide valuable insights for storytelling, analysis, and comparisons, making them key tools for any sports journalist.

1. Batting average (baseball/softball)

   • Measures a player's hitting performance by dividing the number of hits by the number of at-bats.
   • A higher batting average indicates better performance; typically, a .300 average is considered excellent.
   • Important for evaluating offensive contributions and player comparisons.

2. Earned Run Average (ERA) (baseball/softball)

   • Calculates the average number of earned runs a pitcher allows per nine innings pitched.
   • A lower ERA signifies better pitching effectiveness; an ERA under 3.00 is often seen as elite.
   • Essential for assessing a pitcher's performance and impact on the game.

3. Field goal percentage (basketball)

   • Represents the ratio of successful field goals made to total attempts, expressed as a percentage.
   • Higher percentages indicate more efficient scoring; a percentage above 50% is generally considered good.
   • Key for evaluating a player's shooting ability and overall offensive contribution.

4. Free throw percentage (basketball)

   • Measures the success rate of free throws made compared to attempts, expressed as a percentage.
   • A higher free throw percentage is crucial in close games; typically, a percentage above 75% is desirable.
   • Important for assessing a player's ability to capitalize on scoring opportunities.

5. Points per game (various sports)

   • Calculates the average number of points a player scores per game over a season.
   • Higher points per game indicate a more impactful offensive player; context matters based on the sport.
   • Useful for comparing players' scoring abilities across different positions and teams.

6. Yards per carry (American football)

   • Measures the average number of yards gained per rushing attempt by a running back.
   • A higher yards per carry indicates better efficiency and effectiveness in the running game.
   • Important for evaluating a player's ability to contribute to the team's offensive strategy.

7. Quarterback rating (American football)

   • A complex formula that evaluates a quarterback's passing performance, factoring in completions, yards, touchdowns, and interceptions.
   • A rating above 100 is considered excellent, while below 70 is often viewed as poor.
   • Essential for assessing a quarterback's overall effectiveness and decision-making.

8. Goals against average (soccer/hockey)

   • Calculates the average number of goals allowed by a goalie per game played.
   • A lower goals against average indicates better performance; typically, a GAA under 2.00 is considered strong.
   • Important for evaluating a goalie’s impact on the team's defensive success.

9. Save percentage (soccer/hockey)

   • Measures the percentage of shots on goal that a goalie successfully saves.
   • A higher save percentage indicates better performance; above .900 is generally considered good.
   • Critical for assessing a goalie's effectiveness and reliability in preventing goals.

10. Shooting percentage (hockey)

    • Represents the ratio of goals scored to total shots taken, expressed as a percentage.
    • A higher shooting percentage indicates more efficient scoring; typically, a percentage above 10% is favorable.
    • Important for evaluating a player's scoring ability and offensive contributions.

11. Completion percentage (American football)

    • Measures the ratio of completed passes to total pass attempts, expressed as a percentage.
    • A higher completion percentage indicates better accuracy and effectiveness; above 65% is often seen as strong.
    • Essential for evaluating a quarterback's passing performance and decision-making.

12. Rebounds per game (basketball)

    • Calculates the average number of rebounds a player grabs per game over a season.
    • Higher rebounds per game indicate a player's effectiveness in securing possession; typically, over 10 is considered good.
    • Important for assessing a player's impact on both ends of the court.

13. Assists per game (various sports)

    • Measures the average number of assists a player records per game.
    • Higher assists per game indicate a player's ability to facilitate scoring opportunities for teammates.
    • Key for evaluating a player's playmaking skills and overall contribution to team success.

14. On-base percentage (baseball/softball)

    • Calculates the percentage of times a player reaches base (hits, walks, hit by pitch) compared to total plate appearances.
    • A higher on-base percentage indicates better offensive performance; typically, above .350 is considered good.
    • Important for assessing a player's ability to contribute to scoring opportunities.

15. Slugging percentage (baseball/softball)

    • Measures a player's power-hitting ability by calculating total bases per at-bat.
    • A higher slugging percentage indicates more extra-base hits; typically, above .500 is considered strong.
    • Essential for evaluating a player's overall offensive impact and ability to drive in runs.