To qualify for percentage or rate-based statistics (batting average, ERA, points-per-game, yards-per-carry, etc.) certain minimums are required. This ensures players have acquired the stats in a significant manner compared to other full-time players.

Historically, for official records, the leagues will alter the requirements for some seasons after schedule modifications significantly alter season results. For simplicity, we’ve streamlined the requirements into a general guideline for each sport below.

Baseball   ⚾

Career minimums

  • 3000+ plate appearances
  • 1000+ Innings pitched

Season minimums

  • 500+ plate appearances
  • 162+ innings pitched

League parity

All early baseball leagues are included in major league records, leaderboards, and players’ career statistics, except for the Western League and the USBL. While many Negro Leagues are also considered major leagues, we have not yet integrated negro league statistics into the website.

Football   🏈

Career minimums

  • 64+ games played
    or
  • 1500+ passing attempts
  • 750+ rushing attempts
  • 200+ passing receptions
  • 100+ field goal attempts
  • 250+ punts
  • 75+ punt or kick returns

Season minimums

  • At least half of his team’s games
    or
  • 1500+ passing attempts
  • 100+ rushing attempts
  • 30+ passing receptions
  • 15+ field goal attempts
  • 40+ punts
  • 20+ punt or kick returns

League parity

AAFC, AFL, and all early football league statistics are not included in NFL leaderboards, but are included in players’ career statistics.

Basketball   🏀

Career minimums

  • 400+ games played
    (Approximately 5+ full seasons)

Season minimums

  • 58+ games played
    (Approximately 70% of team’s games)

League parity

BAA, NBL, ABA, and all early basketball league statistics are not included in NBA leaderboards, but are included in players’ career statistics.

Hockey  

Career minimums

  • 250+ games
    or
  • 200+ goals
  • 300+ assists
  • 500+ points
  • 800+ shots

Season minimums

  • 25+ games
    or
  • 20+ goals
  • 30+ assists
  • 50+ points
  • 80+ shots

League parity

WHA and all early hockey league statistics are not included in NHL leaderboards or players’ career statistics.

Official league requirements for each season and scenario can be found in the Sports-Reference glossaries for baseball, pro football, college football, pro basketball, college basketball, and hockey.