An easy tool for calculating home run to fly ball rate in baseball with grading scale for evaluation.
HR/FB Rate Calculator
How to Use This Home Run to Fly Ball Rate Calculator
To use this Home Run to Fly Ball Rate Calculator, start by entering the number of home runs allowed (HR) in the first box. Next, enter the number of fly balls allowed (FB) in the second box. Then, click Calculate HR/FB Rate to see the result. The calculator helps pitchers see how often fly balls turn into home runs.
A pitcher with 3 home runs allowed and 27 fly balls allowed would enter 3 in the first box and 27 in the second. The calculator adds home runs and fly balls, then divides home runs by that total. The result in this case is 10 percent. This quick tool shows pitchers their risk of giving up long balls when batters hit fly balls.
What is a Good Home Run to Fly Ball Rate in Baseball?
A good Home Run to Fly Ball Rate for pitchers in baseball falls in the 10 to 15 percent range. Elite pitchers often keep it below 10 percent, while those above 20 percent are considered below average. League averages for HR/FB move around 13 to 15 percent in modern Major League Baseball.
This can vary based on the league, ballpark, era, or level of competition you’re looking at. Pitchers want this number low to show they keep fly balls in the park. Ballparks with big outfields or hitter-friendly zones can change what’s typical.
What is a Good Home Run to Fly Ball Rate in High School Baseball?
A good Home Run to Fly Ball Rate in high school baseball usually sits in the 8 to 12 percent range. This depends on the competition level and field size.
High school pitchers often face less powerful hitters than pros, so lower rates make sense. Top varsity pitchers in tough leagues might aim for under 10 percent, while others at smaller schools could see 15 percent as decent.
Pitchers at this level throw to younger batters who hit fewer fly balls out of the park. Smaller fields can bump the rate up if the fences are close. Coaches look at these numbers to spot pitchers who keep the ball in play. A low HR/FB rate shows a pitcher can limit big damage even with high school hitters.
Home Run to Fly Ball Rate Chart
| HR/FB Rate Range | Grade |
|---|---|
| Below 10 percent | Great |
| 10 to 15 percent | Good |
| 15.1 to 20 percent | Average |
| Above 20 percent | Below Average |
Home Run to Fly Ball Rate Formula in Baseball
How do pitchers figure Home Run to Fly Ball Rate in baseball?
This is the formula for Home Run to Fly Ball Rate in baseball.
HR/FB = HR Ă· (FB + HR)
The formula uses home runs allowed and fly balls allowed to calculate HR/FB Rate. To revisit our example, a pitcher with 3 home runs allowed and 27 fly balls allowed would have a result of 3 divided by 30, which equals 10 percent HR/FB calculation.
Why Home Run to Fly Ball Rate Matters
Calculating Home Run to Fly Ball Rate in baseball shows how often a pitcher lets fly balls leave the yard. Home runs alone tell you when a pitcher gives up big hits, but HR/FB adds context by showing how many fly balls turn into trouble.
Pitchers with a low HR/FB rate prove they can keep the ball in the park. This stat highlights a pitcher’s ability to avoid costly mistakes against power hitters. Fly ball totals don’t show the full story without home runs factored in.
A pitcher allowing 100 fly balls with 9 home run looks better than one with 50 fly balls and 18 home runs. HR/FB captures this difference by focusing on the rate of damage. Using our Home Run to Fly Ball Rate Calculator gives pitchers a clear way to see their risk of giving up long balls.
How Other Pitching Metrics Help Complete the Picture
Calculating HR/FB Rate in baseball gives a good sense of a pitcher’s home run risk, but it doesn’t tell everything. A pitcher with a low HR/FB rate might still struggle if they allow tons of fly balls or walks. Other metrics like ERA, FIP, K/9, and WHIP add more pieces to a pitcher’s story.
FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) focuses on strikeouts, walks, and home runs to judge a pitcher’s skill without team defense. K% (Strikeout Percentage) reveals how often a pitcher dominates batters, which can lower fly ball chances. These stats dig deeper into a pitcher’s performance beyond just fly ball outcomes. HR/FB Rate excels at showing home run tendencies, but it skips broader control or contact issues.
Pitchers need more than a low HR/FB rate to shine. A pitcher allowing few home runs but lots of fly balls might still get hit hard. Pairing HR/FB with FIP or K% offers a fuller view. Combining these metrics helps coaches and fans better judge a pitcher’s true strength on the mound.
Home Run to Fly Ball Rate in High School Baseball
At the high school level, coaches often lack advanced stats like FIP because those need detailed data tracking. Blending Home Run to Fly Ball Rate with simpler stats like WHIP, K/7, and ERA/7 can still help evaluate pitching talent.
Counting ground balls versus fly balls by hand gives a feel for a pitcher’s style without complex tools. The eye test counts too.
Watching how a pitcher mixes pitches or keeps hitters off balance can show skills that HR/FB ratio might overlook. Using our Home Run to Fly Ball Rate Calculator helps high school coaches spot pitchers who limit home runs, but it works best with these extra checks.
How Pitchers Can Improve Home Run to Fly Ball Rate Issues
Pitchers struggling with a high HR/FB rate often look for ways to keep fly balls from leaving the yard. One approach some pitchers take is focusing on more ground ball contact. Ground balls can’t turn into home runs, so a pitcher who gives up too many long balls might try this change in approach.
Changing to a ground ball style won’t directly lower HR/FB since it measures only fly balls, but fewer fly balls overall could mean fewer chances for home runs.
Pitching down in the zone helps pitchers get those ground balls. A pitcher who keeps the ball low makes it tougher for hitters to lift it into the air. This fix works well for someone who struggles with home runs.
The biggest issue lies in missing barrels and getting hitters off balance. A pitcher can focus on a better pitch mix to throw off a hitter’s timing. Mixing fastballs with off-speed pitches like sliders or changeups keeps batters guessing and off-balance. When hitters can’t square up the ball, they miss the barrel, leading to weaker fly balls that stay in the park.
Some pitchers choose to pitch inside to jam hitters. Throwing tight to the hands forces awkward swings, cutting down on solid contact. Inside pitches often turn fly balls into pop-ups or foul balls instead of home runs. A pitcher who masters this can lower their HR/FB rate without changing their style too much.
Still, being a fly ball pitcher can lead to success. Limiting hard contact matters more than avoiding fly balls altogether. Improving HR/FB issues takes smart adjustments for pitchers. Pitchers need to find what fits their game. A strong pitch mix and good location beat power hitters every time.