Innings Pitched
IPThe number of innings a pitcher completed, counted in thirds of an inning - one out is a third, written as .1 and .2 rather than decimals.
Innings pitched counts outs recorded, expressed in thirds. Two outs is two-thirds of an inning, written 0.2. A pitcher who recorded eleven outs threw 3.2 innings - three and two-thirds, not three point two.
That notation catches people out constantly because it looks like a decimal and is not. Adding 1.2 and 1.2 gives 3.1 innings, not 2.4, which is the arithmetic behind more scorebook confusion than any other stat.
It matters beyond bookkeeping because it is the denominator in ERA and WHIP, and because in youth baseball many leagues limit innings rather than, or in addition to, pitches. Where both exist, both have to be tracked.
Bleacher Notes counts outs as they are narrated and keeps innings pitched in thirds automatically, so ERA and WHIP are computed off the right denominator without anyone converting anything.
What does 3.2 innings pitched mean?
Three and two-thirds innings - eleven outs recorded. The figure after the decimal point counts outs, not tenths, so 0.1 is one out and 0.2 is two.
How is innings pitched calculated?
By outs recorded, in thirds of an inning. Three outs is one full inning; one out is one third, written .1.
Let the scorebook keep itself.
Bleacher Notes scores every play from a single spoken sentence, applying these rules for you. In beta now, free for parents.