Scoring Questions

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Thanks guys, after resuming keeping the scorebook last summer in mid-season, it turns out I was doing things right. (Although I still asked, "Did you see what happened over there?" once or twice an inning.

 

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Ok. Here's a good one that's been a struggle for me.

Pitcher retires first two batters. Batter 3 reaches on error. Pitcher subsequently implodes and walks the next two and allows back-to-back doubles before getting the third out. Four runs have crossed the plate.

Am I correct in scoring that the pitchers has allowed 0 earned runs?

It's a difficult one to score, especially as a pitcher's dad (which I recommend only as a last resort). Especially if you lose 4-1 and your pitching stats show 0 earned runs.

But that IS correct, isn't it? What if the pitcher is the one who was charged with the error that started the rally?

 

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Ok. Here's a good one that's been a struggle for me.

Pitcher retires first two batters. Batter 3 reaches on error. Pitcher subsequently implodes and walks the next two and allows back-to-back doubles before getting the third out. Four runs have crossed the plate.

Am I correct in scoring that the pitchers has allowed 0 earned runs?

It's a difficult one to score, especially as a pitcher's dad (which I recommend only as a last resort). Especially if you lose 4-1 and your pitching stats show 0 earned runs.

But that IS correct, isn't it? What if the pitcher is the one who was charged with the error that started the rally?

Correct all of them unearned.

and then you aggravate the crowd by saying you scored it that way because you are the pitcher's dad.

 

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mmich, that is correct. A walk can generate an RBI according to the ASA score manual. Much like an uncontested steal of 2B is still a successful steal.

Jay, where can I find the ASA Scoring Manual? Is this a new manual? I didn't know that ASA published one.

 

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OK, in regard to mmich70's question, the runs are unearned because the inning was extended by an error, or put another way, by an out that was not made? I remember hearing something to the effect that the 1st run would have been unearned, but the remaining three would be earned because they were the result of hits.

 

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@Jay and mmich:

The separate question on awarding a stolen base involves the question of what constitutes "defensive indifference". On one of these threads that is probably archived I addressed that question. If I remember correctly, it devolves into whether the scoring system being used requires that the leading team be so far ahead that it doesn't give a . . . .well, whatever . . . that the runner is advancing to second. Phrased differently, some scoring systems require "defensive indifference" to include an almost insurmountable lead for the defense. In other scoring systems even if your insides are pretty much in turmoil at the choice whether to allow the runner to take second, you can be credited with defensive indifference rather have a stolen base.

The one I always think of is in a close game runners first and third less than two outs and the runner on first takes second with no throw from the catcher. Defensive indifference? I have a tough time crediting a stolen base here.

 

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The one I always think of is in a close game runners first and third less than two outs and the runner on first takes second with no throw from the catcher. Defensive indifference? I have a tough time crediting a stolen base here.

From what I read of the rules, it is NOT indifference. As a matter of fact, the rules address the first and third situation very specifically.

I suppose the mindset is that it is not necessarily indifference, but the fact that the team is not confident they could make the play at 2nd without allowing the run. They are making a strategic decision here, not ignoring the runner because they are indifferent to her taking the base.

I have the same tough time. Especially when you see the runner skipping down to second (with a big smile and flailing her arms from side to side) or jogging past first and on to second during a continuous walk. However, after reading the rules, they convinced me that both of these cases are stolen bases.

In the end, it seems that the tougher call to make would be when it actually WAS indifference. You'd have to determine that the score was such a blowout that the opposing team had no interest in catching the runner.

@philbob

I remember hearing something to the effect that the 1st run would have been unearned, but the remaining three would be earned because they were the result of hits.

I'm interested to hear thoughts on this.

 

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Philbob ... these runs are all unearned ... the inning was extended because of the error, so all runs are definitely unearned.

 

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Thanks jwb, as a pitching dad, those are words I love to hear.

 

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This helps make up for situations where an outfielder loses a ball in the sun and it has to be scored a hit.

 

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Haha ... I'm a pitching dad too, philbob ... but Joe is right ... lost balls in the sun, those cheap little infield "spinners", and even fielder's choices where an infielder holds a ball or throws to the wrong base all end up in the earned run column so I think it all tends to even out!

 

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Oh yeah, they do. There was one game last spring, dd's team was playing Keystone jr. high. DD was cruising along then gave up 6 runs on nothing but bloopers just over the gloves and seeing eye grounders. All earned runs, but nothing that got on the green.