Batting Title

Question
Hello,
     How are you? I see where Barry Bonds (SF) leads the NL in batting with a .358 avg. thru (8/18). Loretta (SD) is 2nd with a .342 avg. I also notice that due to all the walks and intentional walks (174 conbimed in his 108 games played) thats Bonds has received during the course of the season his official at bats has been limited to 274. Can you tell me the amount of official at bats reguired by a major league player to qualify for the league batting title?  

Answer
Wilfredo,

Great question!

In fact, the number of at bats is not the qualifying number to determine if a player is eligible for the batting title.  The important number is plate appearances.  So for Bonds, the at bats plus walks plus sacrifices plus hit by pitchers is his number of plate appearances.

A player needs 3.1 plate appearances per game to qualify.  If the season is 162 games long (like it is this year), the number of plate appearances required is 502.

Many years ago, at bats were used as the qualifyer, but after Ted Williams had a huge batting average one season, but walked many times, the rule was changed to plate appearances.

Hope this helps!

Brian