Category Archives: You Are the Scorer

Test your scoring knowledge with our weekly mid-day Friday feature.

You Are the Scorer: Number 43

YouAreScorer

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.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

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).

You Are the Scorer: Number 42

YouAreScorer

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.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

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.

You Are the Scorer: Number 41

YouAreScorer

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.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

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.

You Are the Scorer: Number 40

YouAreScorer

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.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

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.

You Are the Scorer: Number 39

YouAreScorer

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.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

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.

You Are the Scorer: Number 38

YouAreScorer

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.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

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.

You Are the Scorer: Number 37

YouAreScorer

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.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

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.

You Are the Scorer: Number 36

YouAreScorer

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.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

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.

You Are the Scorer: Number 35

YouAreScorer

Scenario: It’s the end of the season and therefore time to determine the winners of different statistical categories. One particular batter was a clear leader of the on-base average category but did not quite amass the plate appearances needed for qualification.

Is it possible for the batter in question to still win the title?

A – Yes.
B – No.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

Answer:
A – Yes.

Rule 10.22(a) states:
Notwithstanding the foregoing requirement of minimum appearances at the plate, any player with fewer than the required number of plate appearances whose average would be the highest, if he were charged with the required number of plate appearances shall be awarded the batting, slugging or on-base percentage championship, as the case may be.

You Are the Scorer: Number 34

YouAreScorer

Scenario: With a runner on second base and one out, the batter hits a ground-ball to the shortstop, and the runner appears to deliberately try to interfere with the shortstop during this fielder’s attempt to throw the ball to first. Because of this, both the runner and the batter are called out by the umpire. To whom do you assign put-outs and assists (if any)?

As the official scorer… ?

A – 1 put-out to shorstop, 1 put-out to first baseman, no assists.
B
– 1 put-out and 1 assist to shorstop, 1 put-out to first baseman.
C
– 1 assist to shorstop, 2 put-outs to first baseman.
D – 2 assists to shorstop, 2 put-outs to first baseman.
E – 2 put-outs to first baseman, no assists.
F – 1 put-out to catcher, 1 put-out to first baseman, no assists.

Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:

Answer:
C – 1 assist to shorstop, 2 put-outs to first baseman.

Rule 10.09(c)(6) states:
When a runner is called out for having interfered with a fielder, the official scorer shall credit the putout to the fielder with whom the runner interfered, unless the fielder was in the act of throwing the ball when the interference occurred, in which case the official scorer shall credit the putout to the fielder for whom the throw was intended and shall credit an assist to the fielder whose throw was interfered with.

Rule 10.09(c)(7) states:
When the batter-runner is called out because of interference by a preceding runner, as provided in Rule 6.05(m), the official scorer shall credit the putout to the first baseman. If the fielder interfered with was in the act of throwing the ball, the official scorer shall credit such fielder with an assist but shall credit only one assist on any one play under the provisions of Rule 10.09(c)(6) and 10.09(c)(7).

So scored alone, each play should go down as 6-3, but the last sentence of Rule 10.09(c)(7) instructs us to not give two assists on the same play in this scenario.