The statistic that measures a fielder’s success rate is determined by dividing the sum of putouts and assists by the total number of chances (putouts, assists, and errors). For instance, if a player has 100 putouts, 50 assists, and 5 errors, the calculation is (100 + 50) / (100 + 50 + 5) = 0.968. This result, represented as a decimal, is frequently expressed as “.968” or “968”.
This metric provides a quick overview of a player’s defensive reliability. A high rate typically indicates a sure-handed fielder who makes few mistakes. Historically, it has been a primary indicator for evaluating defensive prowess, though modern analysis often incorporates more advanced metrics to gain a deeper understanding of a player’s overall defensive contribution. Its simplicity allows for easy comparison of players across different positions and eras.