If you follow baseball games, then many a times you have surely witnessed hold in a game.
But, do you even know what is a hold in baseball?
A hold occurs in baseball when the team is already in a save scenario. A relief pitcher joins the game and retains the team’s lead until the next relief pitcher arrives. The relief pitcher also has to record a minimum of one out. This situation results in a hold in baseball.
The pitcher has to fulfill at least one condition from the following two:
- He joins the game with his team having a lead of three or fewer runs and retains the score while registering at least one out.
- He joins the game in a tye situation concerning runs at the plate or bases, recording one out.
What is a hold in baseball?
The concept of ‘hold’ came into existence to acknowledge the efforts of relief pitchers. Relief pitchers are not closers. Hence to credit them, ‘hold’ came into being. Relief pitchers aren’t responsible for forfeiting the lead while passing the ball to the following relief pitcher.
Every instance leading to recording at least one out; converts the situation into a save, blown save, or a hold.
A relief pitcher recording a hold doesn’t mean he can gain a win or a save in the game. However, recording a hold in a game isn’t limited to only one relief pitcher. The relief pitcher deserves to receive a hold despite his team losing the game. He is not responsible for what happens after he exits the game, and his team is leading.
The role of holds in relief pitching
Relief pitchers join the game only after the starting pitcher is removed. It may be due to injury, high pitch counts, or poor performance. The relief pitchers get to play just one or two innings at the most in a game. Relievers are known to pitch harder than the regular ones, as their pitching is limited.
The hold is an ideal way to evaluate the performance of relief pitchers pitching in the middle innings. Wins and losses help to evaluate starting pitchers. Saves help evaluate closing pitchers. For other pitchers, hold comes into the picture to bridge this space between starter and closer, helping to evaluate relief pitchers’ performance.
Situations in which a hold can be earned
A hold can be earned by a relief pitcher in the following situations:
- The relief pitcher enters the game when the team has acquired a lead of three or fewer runs. Before leaving the game, the pitcher has recorded at least 1 out while maintaining the lead.
- The relief pitcher may enter the game when the score is at a tie and hits a minimum of one out before leaving the game.
- A relief pitcher is awarded a hold despite the team losing the match. His performance isn’t affected once he exits the game after recording one out, and the team is leading.
Hold can be earned by several relief pitchers. However, the hold is limited to only one per pitcher.
Factors that can affect the number of holds earned by a player
Earning a hold depends on the team’s overall performance and strategy, along with the solo performance of the relief pitcher.
If you look at the conditions of gaining a hold, a team needs to lead and maintain it during the relief pitcher’s entry and exit. The relief pitcher has to record one out. It will be only possible when the team focuses on winning and helps the pitcher get one out.
After the exit of the relief pitcher, despite the team losing the match, the hold is retained on the pitcher’s name. Relief pitchers are known to pitch hard than regular pitchers, as they aren’t included in all innings/matches. They can take a day off after 3 days of pitching.
Individually the relief pitcher’s performance also contributes to earning a hold, as it will be awarded if he can record at least one out.
Who leads MLB in Holds?
A. J. Minter from team Atlanta Braves leads by having 35 holds on his name.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What counts as a hold in baseball?
When the relief pitcher enters the game; at a time when his team is leading by three or fewer runs and he records at least one out. In addition, while exiting the game also, the team should be leading.
Can you get a hold in the 5th inning?
No, a relief pitcher may not be awarded a hold if he enters the game in the 5th inning or earlier.
Can a pitcher get a hold of a loss?
If a pitcher leaves the game with the lead and the runners he left on the base score the game’s tying and winning runs, the pitcher may receive a hold despite his team losing.
Can you get a hold in the 7th inning?
Yes, a relief pitcher may get a hold if he joins the game in 7th inning.
Can you get a hold in the 6th inning?
Yes, it’s possible to get a hold when the relief pitcher enters the game after 6th inning or later innings.
Conclusion:
The complexity of pitching for a lead is made clear to the pitcher after they understand what a lead is in baseball. The hold, which frequently involves relief pitchers in between innings, counts toward or rewards them for a job well done.
Even though the lead is not a recognized scoring or credit move, it nevertheless gives the pitchers and their team some suggestions for their best course of action moving forward.
