In baseball, the word “whip” has a few different meanings. It can refer to the act of throwing the ball hard, or it can be used as a metric to measure a pitcher’s effectiveness. It can also be used as slang for a defeat, particularly a lopsided one.
So where does this term come from? According to baseball lore, it dates back to the 1800s and derives from the phrase “white horse whip.”
What is a whip in baseball?
In baseball, the term “whip” is short for “walks plus hits per inning pitched.” This metric is used to measure a pitcher’s ability to prevent batters from reaching base. The lower a pitcher’s whip, the better they are at preventing batters from reaching base.
The term “whip” originated in the late 1800s, when scorekeepers began tracking a pitcher’s walks and hits separately. At the time, it was common for pitchers to walk several batters per inning, so the metric was used to evaluate a pitcher’s effectiveness.
Today, the term “whip” is still used by baseball analysts to evaluate pitchers. However, it has become less important as walks have become less common in MLB. In 2019, the average MLB pitcher had a whip of 1.23.
The origin of the term “whip” in baseball
The term “whip” in baseball is an acronym that stands for “walks plus hits per inning pitched.” The whip measures a pitcher’s effectiveness by taking into account the number of batters he allows to reach base safely. The lower a pitcher’s whip, the better he is at preventing runs from scoring.
The term was coined in the early 1990s by Baseball Prospectus, a website that uses advanced statistical methods to analyze baseball players and teams. Baseball Prospectus’ founders, Steven Goldman and Gary Huckabay, came up with the idea for the whip while they were working on a book about baseball statistics.
While the term “whip” is now used widely by baseball fans and analysts, it is not without its critics. Some people argue that the whip is a flawed measure of a pitcher’s effectiveness because it does not take into account the number of strikeouts he records.
Others argue that the whip is too heavily influenced by factors beyond a pitcher’s control, such as the quality of his team’s defense. Regardless of its flaws, however, the whip has become an important part of baseball discourse and continues to be used extensively by fans and analysts alike.
How a whip is calculated in baseball
In baseball, the Whip measures a pitcher’s effectiveness. “WHIP” is an acronym that stands for walks plus hits divided by innings pitched. To calculate it, simply add the total number of walks and hits allowed by a pitcher, and divide that number by the number of innings pitched. The lower the number – the better.
A good WHIP score indicates that a pitcher is able to limit base runners, and as a result, is less likely to surrender runs. For example, a pitcher with a WHIP score of 1.50 is allowing 1.5 base runners per inning on average, while a pitcher with a WHIP score of 0.90 is only allowing 0.9 base runners per inning (i.e. they’re much more effective at keeping people off base).
Generally speaking, a WHIP score below 1.30 is considered to be good, 1.30-1.50 is average, and anything above 1.50 is poor (although, as with anything in baseball stats, there are always exceptions).
The term “whip” actually dates back to the late 1800s/early 1900s – long before the statistic was created – when it was used to describe a pitching motion that resulted in extra speed on the ball (kind of like how you would crack a whip). Over time, the term came to be used more colloquially to describe anything that produced extra speed or power (e.g., “the whip of the wind”).
What does whip stand for in baseball
WHIP stands for walks plus hits divided by innings pitched. The theory behind WHIP is that a pitcher who throws more strikes will prevent more baserunners, and therefore have a lower WHIP.
The formula for WHIP is simple: for every inning pitched, subtract the number of strikeouts from the sum of the hits and walks allowed, then divide by the number of innings pitched.
For example, if a pitcher throws three innings and allows two hits, one walk, and strikes out four batters, his WHIP would be calculated like this: (2+1)/3=0.83.
While WHIP is not perfect, it is a useful metric for evaluating pitchers, as it takes into account both walks and hits allowed. A pitcher with a low WHIP is typically considered to be more effective than one with a high WHIP.
The importance of a good whip in baseball
In baseball, the whip is a measure of the momentum of the bases as a function of the rate at which runners are thrown out. The whip is calculated by taking the average number of bases advanced per runner thrown out and dividing it by the number of runs scored. The resulting number is multiplied by 100 and expressed as a percentage.
Whip is used to evaluate relief pitchers, as it measures how well they limit the number of inherited runners who score. A high whip means that relief pitchers are allowing a lot of inherited runners to score, while a low whip indicates that they are doing a good job of limiting runs.
The name “whip” comes from the fact that it was originally calculated using a weighted chain or “whip” like those used to measure livestock.
Tips for maintaining a good whip in baseball
One of the key aspects of a good baseball swing is maintaining a good “whip.” But what exactly does that mean?
Simply put, “whip” is a term used to describe the speed of the bat as it goes through the hitting zone. A hitter with a good “whip” will be able to generate a lot of power and bat speed, which in turn will lead to better results at the plate.
There are a few things you can do to help maintain a good whip in your swing:
– Use a heavier bat. This will help you generate more power and bat speed.
– Take a shorter swing. A shorter swing will give you more control over the bat and help you make contact with the ball more consistently.
– Stay relaxed. Tensing up your muscles will only slow down your swing and decrease your power.
– Practice your timing. If you can time your swing perfectly, you’ll be able to generate a lot of bat speed and power.
How to improve your whip in baseball
When you hear a coach or analyst talk about a pitcher’s “whip,” they’re usually referring to his WHIP ratio. WHIP stands for walks plus hits per inning pitched, and it’s a good way to measure how effective a pitcher is at keeping runners off the bases. A higher WHIP indicates that the pitcher is giving up more base runners, while a lower WHIP means that he’s doing a better job of keeping runners off the bases.
