In softball statistics, “PA” stands for “Plate Appearances.” A plate appearance is recorded when a player completes a turn batting, which includes any scenario where they come to the plate to bat, regardless of the outcome. This means that a player receives a “PA” for every time they:
- Bat (whether they get a hit, walk, or strike out).
- Hit into a fielder’s choice.
- Are hit by a pitch.
- Sacrifice (such as a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly, although these may not count in certain batting averages).
However, it does not count as a plate appearance in situations like a player being walked intentionally or when a player is called out for interference before they complete their turn at bat.
Plate appearances are important because they serve as the denominator for calculating several key batting statistics, such as batting average and on-base percentage, providing context for a player’s offensive performance over a given period.