Scenario: The first batter of the inning singles, but the second player up grounds into a double-play. After the third batter in the innning hits a triple, the fourth draws a walk to put runners on the corners. The runner on first is picked off and gets caught in a run-down, triggering the other runner to head for home. The player in the run-down manages to avoid being put out for long enough for the run to score, and, following a continuation of the run-down, then reaches second on what is clearly an error.

As the official scorer, is the run an earned one?

A – Yes.
B – No.

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Answer: A – Yes.

In a reconstructed inning without the error, the run still scores as the third out was a tag play, not a force play.

Scenario: The starting pitcher issues a walk to the first batter in the top of the ninth and is relieved. The next batter grounds into a force out at second and reaches on a fielder’s choice. The third batter then hits a 2-run homer, but this is followed by three straight strike-outs.

As the official scorer, how do you assign the earned runs?

A – One each to the starter and reliever.
B – Both to the reliever.

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Answer: A – One each to the starter and reliever.

Rule 10.16(g) Comment states:
When a pitcher puts runners on base and is relieved, such pitcher shall be charged with all runs subsequently scored up to and including the number of runners such pitcher left on base when such pitcher left the game, unless such runners are put out without action by the batter (i.e., caught stealing, picked off base or called out for interference when a batter-runner does not reach first base on the play).

Scenario: The starting pitcher issues a walk to the first batter in the top of the ninth and is relieved. The reliever also issues a walk but then, before pitching to the third batter of the inning, manages to pick off the runner at second. The third batter then hits a 2-run homer, but this is followed by three straight strike-outs.

As the official scorer, how do you assign the earned runs?

A – One each to the starter and reliever.
B – Both to the reliever.

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Answer: B – Both to the reliever.

Rule 10.16(g) Comment states:
When a pitcher puts runners on base and is relieved, such pitcher shall be charged with all runs subsequently scored up to and including the number of runners such pitcher left on base when such pitcher left the game, unless such runners are put out without action by the batter (i.e., caught stealing, picked off base or called out for interference when a batter-runner does not reach first base on the play).

Scenario: There are two outs and a runner on second. The batter lays down a bunt, which the catcher scuttles forwards to field, firing a throw to first base. The fielder at the bag drops the ball, though, and the batter-runner reaches safely. The runner on second moves across to third during the play.

As the official scorer, you score an error on the first baseman, but do you give the batter a sacrifice bunt or charge a time at bat?

A – Sacrifice bunt.
B – At-bat.

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Answer: B – At-bat.

Rule 10.08(a) states:
Score a sacrifice bunt when, before two are out, the batter advances one or more runners with a bunt and is put out at first base, or would have been put out except for a fielding error.

Since there were two outs, a sacrifice bunt cannot be awarded. While this may seem obvious, it is possible that a scorer might not take note of the outs and erroneously award a sacrifice bunt in this situation.

Scenario: With two outs and no runners on base, the batter hits a grounder between the first baseman and second baseman. The first baseman moves across and gloves the ball cleanly, and has plenty of time to throw to first, but the pitcher neglects to cover the bag and the runner is thus able to reach safely.

As the official scorer, do you charge the pitcher with an error for allowing the batter-runner to reach first?

A – Yes.
B – No.

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Answer: B – No.

Rule 10.12(a)(1) Comment states:
The official scorer shall not charge an error if the pitcher fails to cover first base on a play, thereby allowing a batter-runner to reach first base safely.

Scenario: With a runner on third and one out, the batter hits a pop-up behind the second baseman. The fielder tracks back and makes an easy catch and the hitter slams his bat, thick end first, into the paint of the first-base line. Even though the catch represented the second out of the inning, the gloveman thinks that it was the last out and rolls the ball slowly towards the pitcher’s mound. The alert base-runner at third uses the opportunity to come home.

As the official scorer, do you charge the second baseman with an error for allowing the runner to advance to home?

A – Yes.
B – No.

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Answer: A – Yes.

Rule 10.12(a)(1) Comment states:
The official scorer shall not score mental mistakes or misjudgments as errors unless a specific rule prescribes otherwise. A fielder’s mental mistake that leads to a physical misplay—such as throwing the ball into the stands or rolling the ball to the pitcher’s mound, mistakenly believing there to be three outs, and thereby allowing a runner or runners to advance—shall not be considered a mental mistake for purposes of this rule and the official scorer shall charge a fielder committing such a mistake with an error.

Scenario: With a runner on first an no outs, the batter hits a line drive to right field that just bounces in front of the fielder. The player on base had moved towards second but had not run hard in case the catch was made, forcing a return to first base. When the ball drops safe the runner dashes for second, but a bullet throw beats the player to the bag. Unfortunately for the fielding team, the shortstop muffs the throw, and both players are safe.

As the official scorer you charge the shortstop with an error (and award the right fielder an assist), but do you credit the batter with a hit?

A – Yes.
B – No.

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Answer: B – No.

Rule 10.05(b)(1) states:
[The official scorer shall not credit a base hit when a] runner is forced out by a batted ball, or would have been forced out except for a fielding error.

Scenario: With a runner on second and two outs, the batter hits a blooper to right field, but the outfielder, who is playing shallow, fails to take what is a very easy chance. The runner on second had set off on contact and was rounding third when the ball was dropped. The runner carries on running hard for home. The fielder retrieves the ball quickly and makes a near-perfect throw to the catcher, and the runner is tagged out while sliding into the plate.

Does the out exempt the right fielder from an error?

A – Yes.
B – No.

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Answer: B – No.

Rule 10.12(d)(4) states:
[The official scorer shall not charge an error against] any fielder when, after fumbling a ground ball or dropping a batted ball that is in flight or a thrown ball, the fielder recovers the ball in time to force out a runner at any base.

Since the out is made on a runner not forced to advance, this exemption does not apply so the batter reaches base on an error.

Scenario: The game is tied in the bottom half of the last regulation inning, and, with a runner on third, the batter hits a ball that bounces in fair territory and hops over the home-run fence. The ground rules state that the batter is enitled to a double on such a play.

As the official scorer, what do you award the batter with?

A – A single.
B – A double.

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Answer: A – A single.

Rule 10.06(f) states:
When a batter ends a game with a safe hit that drives in as many runs as are necessary to put his team in the lead, the official scorer shall credit such batter with only as many bases on his hit as are advanced by the runner who scores the winning run.

Rule 10.06(f) Comment states:
The official scorer shall apply this rule even when the batter is theoretically entitled to more bases because of being awarded an “automatic” extra-base hit under various provisions of Rules 6.09 and 7.05.

Scenario: A fly-ball is hit between the centre fielder and the right fielder. The centre fielder calls the other player off and moves in on the ball, but just as the ball hits leather, the right fielder, who had ignored the call, smashes into the outstretched glove, knocking the ball to the ground. The umpire adjudges that no catch has been made.

How do you score the play?

A – Error by the centre fielder.
B – Error by the right fielder.
C – Error by neither player (i.e. a base hit).
D – Error by both players.

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Answer: B – Error by the right fielder.

Rule 10.12(a)(1) Comment states:
The official scorer shall charge an error to a fielder who causes another fielder to misplay a ball—for example, by knocking the ball out of the other fielder’s glove. On such a play, when the official scorer charges an error to the interfering fielder, the official scorer shall not charge an error to the fielder with whom the other fielder interfered.