Baseball Statistics Questions
 

I didn't spot a thread in a site search, so I want to ask it as a general question, and anyone else who has a stats question can tack it on here.

Here's my question:

Which is the correct formula for calculating fielding percentage?

1) (Fielding Chances - Errors) / Fielding Chances

2) (Putouts + Assists) / (Putouts + Assists + Errors)

Though both scenarios seem similar, I was thinking in terms of infield singles how they can very much be different.

Situation) 3 balls hit to SS. He throws out one runner for an assist. He boots one. On the third, he throws but the base runner beats it out (not an error, but an infield single). Therefore, the SS had 3 fielding chances with 1 assist and 1 error and 1 play of no defensive statistic.

Is the SS's Fielding Percentage calculated as being 1) 33% or 2) 50% where the single cannot count against the SS's defense?

#2 is the correct formula
Calculating Baseball Statistics - Fielding Percentage (FP) - Associated Content from Yahoo! - associatedcontent.com

I already realized I made a mistake in my first formula... I don't know how to change it to reflect 33%...

This is more accurate to what I meant for 1) (Put outs + Assists) / Fielding Chances

It seems right for #2 because fielders should not be punished when they did everything right. If the base runner reaches on an infield single, then the fielder should not be affected.

OK. Let me tack on another... (stats searches aren't giving me the answers I seek for defensive stats)

Scenario 1) Runner on first and 1 out. The ball is hit to 2B. He flips it to the SS for an out and the runner reaches first for a fielder's choice (beat out the throw). On this play, the 2B has an assist and the SS has a put out. What are the fielding percentages for the 2B and SS in this case? Do both get credit for a 100% fielding percentage on that play (each 1/1)?

Scenario 2) Same situation, but the SS does complete the double play, so 2B has an assist and the SS has an assist and put out. Is the SS now 2/2 in fielding because he got both PO and A on the play?

Yes and yes