How do you calculate on base percentage, and why is it important when putting a team together.?

The full formula is OBP = (Hits + Walks + Hit by Pitch) / (At Bats + Walks + Hit by Pitch + Sacrifice Flies).



The reason it is important is for lineup purposes. You may have a guy who doesn't have the best batting avg. or even good RBI statistics. But, generally, players that have good OBP are good base-runners, sometimes have the ability to steal, and basically help to get runners in scoring position. Therefore, you can put someone in the lineup behind them who is well at either getting the ball in play safely, power to create a sacrifice run, or even get a hit and drive in RBI's.How do you calculate on base percentage, and why is it important when putting a team together.?
Since the first part of your question has already been answered, I won't bother. However, I don't believe that OBP is a big factor in putting a team together at all. I'm much more concerned with slugging, defense, and base running ability.How do you calculate on base percentage, and why is it important when putting a team together.?
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference.



Also, OBP is added to slugging average to determine on-base plus slugging (OPS). It first became an official MLB statistic in 1984.



On base percentage is calculated using this formula

OBP = H+BB+HBP divided by AB+BB+HBP+SF

where * H = Hits

* BB = Bases on Balls (aka Walks)

* HBP = times Hit By a Pitch

* AB = At bats

* SF = Sacrifice Flies



The importance of having a leadoff hitter, as well as other hitters with a high OBP is obvious --- to score more runs.How do you calculate on base percentage, and why is it important when putting a team together.?
OBP is a simple measure of success at the plate. Outs make the team less likely to score runs. Anything that isn't an out makes the team more likely to score runs. The higher a player's OBP, they more likely they are to not make an out and therefore contribute to their team scoring runs. OBP is the single most important statistic that most baseball fans are willing and able to consider/calculate.
because you need players to get on base so you can bat them in (RBI)