In Michigan High school ball we are allowed to use a courtesy runner for the pitcher & catcher in order to speed up the game. Would the courtesy runner get credit for stolen bases, or runs scored? Also, does a pinch runner get credit for either of them?

Let me answer those in reverse order - a pinch runner gets credit for everything he does - steals a base, scores a run - both go towards his season total.

Remember Herb Washington from the early 70s A's teams. All he did was pinch run. Pretty interesting career totals:

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/W/Herb-Washington.shtml

No At Bats, 33 runs scored, 31 Stolen Bases and 17 Caught Stealing - as far as I can tell, he never played an inning in the field.

As for a courtesy runner, when I have been scoring travel baseball games (which is the only place I have encountered this rule), I have simply treated them as a pinch runner for everything except substitutions - that is they don't cost the original player or the runner anything in terms of their substitution rights.

Hope this is clear....

08

What does everyone think of the speed up rule / courtesy runner??

I certainly know what I think or I wouldn't have asked...hahahah....I don't like it because I don't think it speeds up the game at all....I actually think it slows it down in most cases....all so the catcher can put his gear on.....oh well that's my opinion.....And as a catcher goes...he may never run the bases till he gets to college.....
And am I right to assume that some leagues/levels require you use it and in others it is an option....

Why do all of you like or dislike it?