What are count-state splits in baseball?

Count-state splits break a hitter's (or a whole lineup's) performance down by the ball-strike count that decides the at-bat: ahead (2-0, 3-1), even (0-0, 1-1), or behind (0-2, 1-2). The same hitter is usually several different hitters — one real varsity season we charted hit .436 when at-bats ended at 0-1 and .108 at 2-2.

Coaches use count splits two ways. On the mound: find the counts where the opposing lineup goes quiet and finish at-bats there instead of nibbling into hitter's counts. At the plate: know which opposing pitchers give in when behind, and hunt those counts.

Season batting averages hide all of this — a .300 hitter who is helpless at two strikes is a different problem from a .300 hitter who battles. The split is where the plan lives.

Where to get them

RivalCharts computes a full count grid for any opponent from their public GameChanger season — see the grid in the sample varsity report.