The statistic represents the number of bases a player gains from hits. A single is worth one base, a double two, a triple three, and a home run four. To calculate this value, one sums the number of singles, plus twice the number of doubles, plus three times the number of triples, plus four times the number of home runs. For example, a player with 1 single, 1 double, 1 triple, and 1 home run would have a total of 1 + (2 1) + (3 1) + (4 * 1) = 10.
This metric offers a more comprehensive view of a batter’s offensive contribution compared to simply counting hits. It gives greater weight to extra-base hits, which are more valuable in scoring runs. Historically, this calculation has been used as a key component in advanced baseball statistics aimed at evaluating overall offensive performance and player value.