What is a Hold in baseball?
HOLD is a situation that occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game while his team is in the lead. After entering the game, he keeps the lead till the next pitcher enters the game and while maintaining this lead the pitcher also takes one wicket. So, now you know the definition of a HOLD in Baseball.
What is a hold in baseball
Another way of hold baseball definition
A hold occurs when a relief pitcher enters the game in a save situation and maintains his team’s lead for the next relief pitcher, while recording at least one out. (baseball hold definition)
The main job of a relief pitcher is not to get the team to win but rather to hold on to the lead they already have. The relief pitchers are not closed and they know this. Their primary objective is to keep the lead their predecessors have given them. They need to do the same for the next pitcher.
Meanwhile holding onto the lead if a pitcher successfully scores an out, is called a HOLD or BLOWN SAVE in baseball.
More than one HOLDs can be received in a single game. However, on the other hand, if a pitcher received a HOLD, then they will not be eligible for a WIN or SAVE.
On the other hand, in case the pitcher left the game in a lead and the baserunner scored a base. In this kind of situation, the pitcher will receive both HOLD and LOSS.
How to get a Hold in Baseball?
Other than this, when comes What is a HOLD in Baseball refers to when one of the following two conditions are met.
1) When a relief pitcher enters the game with a lead of at least 3 runs. He holds on to that lead till the next pitcher relieves him. During his innings, the pitcher also has to out a batter or baserunner. If all of these conditions are met then it is a HOLD in baseball.
2) The second condition that can be met to have a HOLD in baseball is for a pitcher to enter and start pitching when his team has a tied score with another team. He keeps the tied score and out one of the hitters or baserunners.
Mlb-hold
Can A Pitcher Get a Hold in Baseball and a Win in the Same Game?
No! A pitcher cannot get both holds and Win in the same game. Although, more than one pitcher is eligible to get HOLDs credited in a single game.
What is the difference between A Save and A Hold?
Every single time whenever a pitcher either blows a save or saves the match, they are credited with a SAVE point.
On the other hand, if a pitcher keeps the lead for the team that was passed onto him, while also taking an out. They are credited with a Hold point.
On the other hand, the SAVE situation occurs when a relief pitcher gets the team to win under certain situations. The most common situation is when a pitcher takes over in the 9th inning and his team is already 3-4 points behind.
Now if after wonderful pitching, if the pitcher is able to get the team to win the match, the SAVE is credited to that relief pitcher.
A funny video to illustrate the situation: A hold in baseball
What is a Blown Save, or Blown Hold in Baseball?
A blown save is a situation when a relief pitcher doesn’t play much well and allows the opposing team to score. And, after the scoring, if the opponent team is able to get the score tied then it is called Blown Save.
The Hold is an unofficial stat for Baseball to assess a relief pitcher’s performance
Hold and Blown save
What are the Rules for A Baseball Hold to occur?
When it comes to rewarding a relief pitcher with a HOLD point, there one of the following two conditions should be met.
The first condition is the relief pitcher must enter the game when his team is in the lead with 3 points. Once he starts pitching, during his complete inning the relief pitcher should be able to take one out as well as keep the team in the lead. If the relief pitcher is able to achieve this task, then they are rewarded with a HOLD point.
The second condition that needs to be met is if the relief pitcher enters the game at a time when both teams are tied. If the relief pitcher is able to get the team in the lead while also taking one out of either hitter or the baserunner. He will be awarded a HOLD point.
What is the History Behind the Baseball Hold?
It was Statisticians Mile O’Donnell and John Dewan who worked and invented the HOLD. This is invented as a quantified measure to understand if a pitcher is eligible to be closer or should be relieved from their duty as a closer.
These statistics were meant to inspire pitchers to become essential setup men. These are the important pitchers who take on the pitching at one of the most crucial times such as the eighth inning before the next closer pitcher comes in.
This is important because if the pitcher does not perform well and the team loses their lead, the closer pitcher will have so much pressure on him that the guaranteed win won’t be an option. On the other hand, if the pitcher earns a HOLD, then the closer pitcher should be able to take the team to win.
What is hold in baseball
Who Has the Most Holds in MLB?
Who has the most HOLDs in their career:
LG Pitcher Team Data Total
AL Matt Thornton Seattle 5
Matt Thornton Chicago 146
Matt Thornton Boston 19
Matt Thornton New York 12 182
NL Chad Qualls Houston 75
Chad Qualls Arizona 25
Chad Qualls San Diego 22
Chad Qualls Philadelphia 12
Chad Qualls Pittsburgh 14
Chad Qualls Miami 15 151
ML Arthur Rhodes Baltimore 5
Arthur Rhodes Seattle 111
Arthur Rhodes Oakland 3
Arthur Rhodes Cleveland 16
Arthur Rhodes Philadelphia 23
Arthur Rhodes Florida 11
Arthur Rhodes Cincinnati 51
Arthur Rhodes Texas 7
Arthur Rhodes St. Louis 4 231
Who has the most HOLDs in a single season:
Holds Records LG Pitchers Team Data
Fewest Holds AL Buddy Groom Oakland 27 1999
League Leader | Full-Screen NL John Johnstone San Francisco 28 1999
Most Holds AL Joel Peralta Tampa Bay 41 2013
In A Season NL Tony Watson Pittsburgh 41 2015
Most Holds AL J.C. Romero Minnesota 33 2002
In A Season | Lefthander NL Tony Watson Pittsburgh 41 2015
Most Holds AL Joel Peralta Tampa Bay 41 2013
In A Season | Righthander NL Tyler Clippard Washington 40 2014
Luke Gregerson San Diego 2010
Most Holds AL Daniel Bard Boston 32 2010
In A Season | Rookie NL Akinori Otsuka San Diego 34 2004
How is A Hold Used in Fantasy Baseball League?
When it comes to a Fantasy baseball league, HOLD is similar to a red-headed stepson. Though Rodney Dangerfield used to say that “middle relievers simply just don’t get enough respect”.
As we have previously mentioned, a hold is credited when a relief pitcher takes on pitching and carries on with the lead. On the other hand, the pitcher might also help the team to win against opponents.
hold in baseball
Let’s understand What is a HOLD in Baseball in a Fantasy baseball league:
1) When a relief pitcher enters the game with a lead of at least 3 runs. He holds on to that lead till the next pitcher relieves him. During his innings, the pitcher also has to out a batter or baserunner. If all of these conditions are met then it is a HOLD in baseball.
2) The second condition that can be met to have a HOLD in baseball is for a pitcher to enter and start pitching when his team has a tied score with another team. He keeps the tied score and out one of the hitters or baserunners.
Fantasy baseball leagues sometimes offer extra points for players who are credited with HOLD points. This is because relief pitchers keep the team in the lead in very crucial moments.
In Conclusion
Hope by now you understand what is a HOLD in baseball and SAVE. Despite being such an amazing game, baseball is sometimes hard to understand. That is why these terms HOLD, SAVE, WHIP, PO, etc are important to get clear ideas about how our players perform. So, next time you are creating your fantasy baseball team don’t forget to look for the highest SAVE and HOLD among pitchers.__
Top comments (1)
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