Overview
A ground out occurs when the batter hits a ground ball that an infielder fields and throws to first base for the out. Ground ball rate (GB%) indicates a batter's batted-ball tendency; high-GB hitters have infield hit potential but also face greater double play risk. For pitchers, inducing ground balls is an effective strategy to prevent home runs, making ground ball pitchers who rely on sinkers and two-seamers highly valued. In NPB, tracking data has enabled analysis of batted-ball quality through launch angle and exit velocity combinations. The ground ball to fly ball ratio (G/F) serves as an important metric for evaluating both hitters and pitchers.