Pitching: Earned Runs
1. Earned runs are scored for all runs for which the pitcher is held accountable.
2. Earned runs are determined by reconstructing the inning as it would have been played without errors and passed balls (including errors on the pitcher).
3. When in doubt, always give the benefit of the doubt to the pitcher when deciding which bases would have been reached by errorless play. Never assume runners would have gotten extra bases on a hit unless it is obvious.
4. When reconstructing a run that scores to end the game, but on a play where an error occured, and with less than two outs, use your judgement considering outs, who was up, etc. to decide if that run might have scored had the game continued.
5. Bases gained by the following, and where the runner scores, result in an earned run (defensive interference is considered an opportunity for a putout):
a - Hit,
b - Sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly,
c - Stolen base,
d - Fielder's choke (putouts on succeeding runner),
e - Bases on balls,
f - Batters hit by pitch,
g - illegal pitch, and
h - Wild pitch (including a third strike wild pitch where the batter reaches first base safely).
6. The run is unearned (scores in spite of pitching efforts) if the runner who scores reached first base in the following ways:
a - On an error,
b - After her life at the plate was prolonged by a dropped foul fly, or
c - On interference or obstruction (the interference or obstruction should be counted as an opportunity for a putout).
7. The run is unearned if the runner who scores has her baserunning life prolonged by an error, and would have been put out by errorless play. Never assume the second out of a double play should have been completed unless a caught throw is dropped.
8. The run is unearned if a runner who advances by an error, passed ball, or defensive interference/obstruction, would not have scored without the misplay.
9. A relief pitcher does not receive benefit of previous chances for outs when reconstructing the inning in determining earned or unearned runs she put on, while the original pitcher does. Thus, a relief pitcher could be charged With an earned run which does not appear in the team totals,
10. If a tie-breaker runner scores from second base and the pitcher is held accountable for all bases gained, score the run eal ned but do not charge it to that pitcher, charge it to the team. (See tiebreaker scoring on page 32).
11. The run is unearned if there is an error on a play at home.
12. A batter that is on by a fielder's choice can only score an earned run if the runner who was played on with the fielder's choice, was a potential earned run.
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