A few weeks ago, I was reading a book, which was written by a famous baseball writer. In the book, he indicated that we are seeing more strikeouts than balls in play in recent baseball games. After reading the book, I was wondering about a question.
Do we actually see more strikeouts than balls in play in today’s baseball games? To understand a little bit more, I went to check on the great baseball reference website.
At this moment, I’m not going too far. So, let’s take a look at the numbers from 1980 to 2022.
In the 1980 season, there were 20000+ strikeouts and 120000+ balls in play. In 1981 the numbers each dropped a bit because there was a strike during the regular season. Hence, there were fewer games in 1981. In 1982, the number of strikeouts was over 21000 and from 1982 to 1986, the number remained between 21000 and 25000. Nonetheless, in 1987, there were more than 25000 strikeouts. But, from 1988 to 1992, the number remained below 25000.
Additionally, in 1982, there were more than 120000 balls in play. However, from 1983 to 1992, there were fewer than 120000 balls in play in each season.
In 1993, the Marlins and the Rockies joined the NL, so there were 28 teams in the MLB. The number of strikeouts was over 26000 during the regular season and the number of balls in play was over 120000 again. Nevertheless, the strike happened again in 1994 and we can see the numbers went down.
In 1995, the number of strikeouts was over 25000 and there were 110000+ balls in play. However, the number of strikeouts reached 29000 in 1996 and 1997. At the same time, there were more than 120000 balls in play each season.
In 1998, the Arizona Diamondbacks joined the NL and the Tampa Bay Rays joined the AL. Since then, there have been 30 MLB teams. In the 1998 season, the number of strikeouts reached 31000 and there were more than 130000 balls in play.
From 1999 to 2016, the number of strikeouts remained between 30000 and 40000 each season. In 2017, there were more than 40000 strikeouts in the regular season. From 2018 to 2022, the only season in which the number of strikeouts didn’t reach 40000 was the 2020 season, which was a shortened one.
Finally, let’s look back at the balls in play. From 2009 to 2017, the number of balls in play remained between 120000 and 130000. Nonetheless, since 2018, there have been fewer balls in play.
In the 1980 season, there were 20000+ strikeouts and 120000+ balls in play. In 1981 the numbers each dropped a bit because there was a strike during the regular season. Hence, there were fewer games in 1981. In 1982, the number of strikeouts was over 21000 and from 1982 to 1986, the number remained between 21000 and 25000. Nonetheless, in 1987, there were more than 25000 strikeouts. But, from 1988 to 1992, the number remained below 25000.
Additionally, in 1982, there were more than 120000 balls in play. However, from 1983 to 1992, there were fewer than 120000 balls in play in each season.
In 1993, the Marlins and the Rockies joined the NL, so there were 28 teams in the MLB. The number of strikeouts was over 26000 during the regular season and the number of balls in play was over 120000 again. Nevertheless, the strike happened again in 1994 and we can see the numbers went down.
In 1995, the number of strikeouts was over 25000 and there were 110000+ balls in play. However, the number of strikeouts reached 29000 in 1996 and 1997. At the same time, there were more than 120000 balls in play each season.
In 1998, the Arizona Diamondbacks joined the NL and the Tampa Bay Rays joined the AL. Since then, there have been 30 MLB teams. In the 1998 season, the number of strikeouts reached 31000 and there were more than 130000 balls in play.
From 1999 to 2016, the number of strikeouts remained between 30000 and 40000 each season. In 2017, there were more than 40000 strikeouts in the regular season. From 2018 to 2022, the only season in which the number of strikeouts didn’t reach 40000 was the 2020 season, which was a shortened one.
Finally, let’s look back at the balls in play. From 2009 to 2017, the number of balls in play remained between 120000 and 130000. Nonetheless, since 2018, there have been fewer balls in play.
From 2018 to 2022, the only time that we didn’t see 40000+ strikeouts was in 2020. Moreover, the number of balls in play dropped. In 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2022, there were fewer than 120000 balls in play in each season. Back in 1980, there were only 26 teams in the MLB and there were more than 120000 BIP during the regular season. Indeed, balls in play have been declining over the last few seasons. But, with the rule changes in 2023, let’s see whether the number will dramatically change at the end of the season.
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