A seemingly intrinsic part of the game of baseball is the keeping of statistics on the achievements of the players. Started by Henry Chadwick in the 19th century who devised the concept of batting average based on his experience of cricket. Commonly used statistics are explained here:
... -49° Fahr. The rainfall averages 22 1/2 in. Thick clouds for the most part shut out the sun; while the cold current from the Sea of Okhotsk, aided by north-east winds, ...