For fans new to the sport and longtime followers alike, the term "SAC" appears constantly in baseball box scores and play-by-play commentary. Often seen in the innings pitched column for pitchers or as a descriptor for certain outcomes, it stands for sacrifice. This specific action is a fundamental strategic element of the game, designed to advance a runner at the expense of the batter reaching base safely.
The Official Definition of a Sacrifice
A sacrifice is a batting play that results in a run being scored or a runner advancing at least one base, and the batter is put out. The official scorer credits the batter with a sacrifice, denoted as "SAC," provided the scorer determines the primary objective of the play was the advancement of the runner, not the act of getting on base. This means the batter successfully bunts the ball or executes a fly ball to the outfield, allowing a tag-up runner to score or move to third, while the batter himself is retired.
Bunt vs. Fly Ball Sacrifices
The most common version is the sacrifice bunt, where the batter holds the bat still and taps the ball softly, usually toward the first or third base side. This allows the pitcher or catcher to field the ball and throw to a base, but the runner is already sprinting from home. The other variation is the sacrifice fly, where the batter hits a deep fly ball to the outfield, allowing the runner on third to tag up and score after the catch. In both scenarios, the batter is expected to be out, and that outcome is the accepted cost of the strategic gain.
The Strategic Purpose Behind the Sac
Baseball is a game of inches and probabilities, and the sacrifice is a calculated move to optimize those chances. Typically, a team will employ this tactic when they have a runner in scoring position—usually on second or third base—and fewer than two outs. By giving up an out, the offense trades a guaranteed out for the probability of a run, which is often the more valuable asset in a close game. It prioritizes team advancement over individual statistics.
When Is It Used?
Managers signal for a sacrifice in specific high-leverage situations. Early in a game with a tight score, moving a runner from second to home is often worth the out. Similarly, with a runner on third and less than two outs, a fly ball gives the runner a chance to score on a deep drive that might otherwise result in a double play if the batter simply swung away. It is a chess move rather than a power move.
How the Scorecard Records It
On a traditional paper scorecard or in digital stat trackers, the abbreviation is used to denote the play. You will usually see "SAC" or "SH" (sacrifice hit) written in the inning box where the play occurred. If a runner scores on a bunt, the scoring column will show the batter with a downward arrow pointing to the run scored, indicating the successful execution of the play. The at-bat is recorded as a sacrifice, distinct from a regular at-bat that does not result in a run scored.
Common Misconceptions and Errors
One frequent point of confusion is differentiating a true sacrifice from a fielder's choice. A fielder's choice occurs when a batter hits a ground ball and the defense chooses to get the batter out rather than force out the runner, but the runner still advances. In a fielder's choice, the batter is not credited with a sacrifice because the primary intent was not necessarily the advancement, but rather the defense made a choice to attempt the double play. The scorer's judgment is the ultimate decider in these scenarios.
