What is a single in baseball?

In baseball, a single is a hit in which the batter safely reaches first base without the assistance of an error or fielder's choice. It is considered the most basic type of hit in baseball and is typically recorded when a batter hits the ball into fair territory and reaches first base before the ball can be fielded by an opposing player.

Singles are an important part of an offensive strategy as they can help move baserunners around the diamond and contribute to a team's ability to score runs. A player's batting average is often based on the number of singles they hit in relation to their total number of at-bats.

A single is represented statistically as "1B" on a player's baseball card or in box scores. It is one of the four types of hits a batter can achieve in baseball, along with doubles, triples, and home runs.