What Is a QAB (Quality At-Bat) in Baseball?
Quick answer
A coaching stat that rewards a good at-bat, not just a hit: a hard-hit ball, a walk, a long at-bat of six or more pitches, moving a runner or a sacrifice.
In this article
QAB stands for "quality at-bat." It's a coaching stat that gives a hitter credit for an at-bat that helped the team, whether or not it ended in a hit. A hard line drive caught by the shortstop and a seven-pitch walk are both quality at-bats, even though neither raises a batting average.
What counts as a quality at-bat
Definitions vary by team, but most include:
- A hard-hit ball, even if it's an out
- A hit
- A walk or hit by pitch
- An at-bat of six or more pitches (some teams use seven or eight)
- A sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly
- Moving a runner with fewer than two outs
- An RBI
- Getting to two strikes and still fouling off pitches to extend the at-bat
Why coaches track QABs
Batting average punishes hitters for bad luck. A player who lines out three times went 0-for-3 but had three good at-bats. QAB rewards what the hitter controls: swing decisions, contact quality and battling. It's especially useful in youth baseball, where averages swing wildly over a short season and slumps can crush a kid's confidence.
How to track it
- Scoring apps like GameChanger can track QAB automatically.
- A paper scorebook works too: mark a "Q" next to each qualifying at-bat.
- QAB% = quality at-bats ÷ plate appearances. Many teams target about 50 percent.
How to have more quality at-bats
- Know the situation. With a runner on second and nobody out, hit the ball to the right side.
- Swing at strikes. Most bad at-bats start with a bad swing decision.
- Battle with two strikes. Shorten up and foul off tough pitches.
- Hit it hard. Work on it in the cage with drills from our guide on how to hit a baseball harder.
Related terms
More definitions: baseball terms explained.
Frequently asked questions
What does QAB mean in baseball?
QAB stands for quality at-bat. It is a coaching stat that counts at-bats that help the team, such as hard-hit balls, walks and long at-bats, whether or not they produce a hit.
What counts as a quality at-bat?
Common definitions include a hard-hit ball, a walk or hit by pitch, an at-bat of six or more pitches, a sacrifice bunt or fly, moving a runner with fewer than two outs, and a hit.
What is a good QAB percentage?
Many coaches aim for about 50 percent quality at-bats as a team. The exact target depends on how strictly your team defines a QAB.
Is QAB an official stat?
No. It is not tracked in official MLB stats. Coaches and scoring apps like GameChanger track it, and definitions vary by team.
