4 (number) - in Sports

In Sports

• In cricket, a four is a specific type of scoring event, whereby the ball crosses the boundary after touching the ground at least one time, scoring four runs. Taking four wickets in four consecutive balls is typically referred to as a double hat trick (two consecutive, overlapping hat tricks).
• In basketball, the number four is used to designate the Power Forward position, often referred to as "The four spot".
• The basketball term Final Four refers to:
  • in the United States, the last four teams remaining in the NCAA playoff tournament, each of which is the winner of its respective region (for collegiate hockey the term Frozen Four is used).
  • In Europe, the last four teams remaining in many national and transnational club competitions, most notably the Euroleague.
• In rowing, a four refers to a boat for four rowers, with or without coxswain. In rowing nomenclature 4− represents a coxless four and 4+ represents a coxed four.
• There are four bases in the game of baseball: first base, second base, third base, and home plate; to score a run, an offensive player must complete, in the sequence shown, a circuit of those four bases.
• In baseball scoring, number 4 is assigned to the second baseman. Also, four is the most number of runs that can be scored on any single at bat, whereby all three baserunners and the batter score (the most common being via a grand slam).
• In gridiron football codes,
  • In American football, the offensive team has four downs (plays) to advance the ball 10 yards or else lose possession.
  • four points are awarded in a handful of leagues for rarely attempted types of field goals; an example is in six-man football. Because of the difficulties of getting a successful kick due to the few players on the field, a field goal is worth four points. Also, in Arena Football, a successful dropkicked field goal attempt scores four points.
  • the "four hole" in offense terminology is the space between the right guard and the right tackle on the offensive line
  • the "four back" is an extra running back (outside the fullback and halfback, often referred to as an H-back) in the backfield; e.g. a play call for a "44 lead" indicates the H-back will follow the fullback into the hole between the right guard and the right tackle.
• In rugby union:
  • One of the two starting locks wears the jersey number 4.
  • At several points in the history of the sport, 4 points were awarded for the following scores:
    • A goal from mark from 1891 to 1904 (3 points after that time; abolished in 1977).
    • A drop goal from 1891 to 1947 (now 3 points).
    • A try from 1971 to 1991 (now 5 points).
  • In most league competitions, as well as the pool phases of the Rugby World Cup and many other worldwide championships, 4 competition points are awarded for a win (see rugby union bonus points system).
• In rugby league:
  • A try is worth 4 points.
  • In most competitions (though not the European Super League, which uses static squad numbering), the starting left centre wears jersey number 4.
• The jersey number 4 has been retired by several North American sports teams in honor of past playing greats or other key figures:
  • In Major League Baseball:
    • The Baltimore Orioles, for Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver.
    • The Boston Red Sox, for Hall of Famer Joe Cronin.
    • The Chicago White Sox, for Hall of Famer Luke Appling.
    • The Los Angeles Dodgers, for Hall of Famer Duke Snider.
    • The Milwaukee Brewers, for Hall of Famer Paul Molitor.
    • The New York Giants, for Hall of Famer Mel Ott; the team has continued to honor the number in its current home of San Francisco.
    • The New York Yankees, for Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. Notably, he was the first player in major North American sports to be so honored by a U.S.-based team (he was preceded in this honor by Ace Bailey, whose #6 was retired by the Toronto Maple Leafs five years earlier).
    • The Pittsburgh Pirates, for Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner.
  • In the NBA:
    • The Chicago Bulls, for Jerry Sloan, who later served as the team's head coach and went on to a Hall of Fame career in that role (mainly with the Utah Jazz).
    • The Detroit Pistons, for Hall of Fame player Joe Dumars, who later served as team president.
    • The Milwaukee Bucks, for Sidney Moncrief.
    • The New York Nets, for Wendell Ladner, who died in a 1975 plane crash. The team continues to honor the number in its current home of New Jersey.
    • The Sacramento Kings, for Chris Webber.
    • The Utah Jazz, for Hall of Fame player Adrian Dantley.
  • In the NHL:
    • The Boston Bruins, for Hall of Famer Bobby Orr.
    • The Montreal Canadiens, for Hall of Famer Jean Beliveau.
    • The New Jersey Devils, for Hall of Famer Scott Stevens.
    • The Philadelphia Flyers, for Barry Ashbee.
    • The Toronto Maple Leafs have a policy of not retiring numbers unless the player honoured either died or suffered a career-ending incident while a member of the team. Other players whose numbers would otherwise be retired instead have their numbers enshrined by the team as "Honoured Numbers", which remain in circulation for future players. The number 4 is currently honoured for Hall of Famer Red Kelly.
  • In the NFL:
    • The New York Giants, for Hall of Famer Tuffy Leemans.