Why are batting averages not percentages?

by Alex

Alex asked: Why are baseball batting averages expressed as a decimal to 3 decimal places rather than a percentage?

I feel like a .335 BA could better be expressed as a 33.5% which is just as accurate.

Also it doesn't make sense why we just drop the decimal when we say the BA so a percentage is a bit more practical right?

Is there some special reason or history for this? Thanks!


Rick answered: Alex, thank you for your question.

The decimal system for measuring averages in baseball, originally came from the game of Cricket.

The only reference I could locate as to why, is that with the decimal format, should there need to be a tie breaker in a category, this system provides the ability to carry it on out.


Yours in baseball,

Rick