A few different scenarios:

1) Two outs, Runner on first, pitcher wheels fires over to first, first baseman misses it (e-3 or e-1), ball goes down right field line, right fielder is asleep, runner scores from first. Next hitter singles. Following hitter strikes out.

2) Two outs, Runner on first, pickoff play again, this time runner stops at third. (e-3 or e-1 allowing advance to third). Hitter then singles to drive in run. Next hitter strikes out.

3) Two outs, runner on first, attempted pickoff, runner breaks for second, throw from first baseman is wild, runner is safe at second. Hitter singles, runner scores. next guy strikes out.

Plays similar to all three have happened already this season!!! Not the two outs part or the strike out - that is just to simplify the case. I gave the pitcher an unearned run all three times - but keep thinking I was wrong.

Thanks for the help

08

Great questions. My opinions (for what they are worth).

• Score an error on the pitcher if the throw was bad. 1B if the throw was good. When in doubt the error usually should be given to the thrower. As far as the run being earned it is but only if the runner would have scored from 1st on the hit. If not then the run is unearned.
  
  
• Situation two is the same as the first.
  
  
• Sane deal with the third situation. Charge the 1B with a throwing error.
  
  

Because there are two outs in each situation and runners scored as a result of errors (continuing the inning) then the runs are unearned like you thought.

In scenario 3) if the runner breaks on the pickoff, to me that is a steal attempt, and if he did not advance beyond 2b on the wild throw, I don't charge an error, and that run would be earned. IMHO.

The way you determine whether a run is earned or unearned is to reconstruct the inning WITHOUT THE ERRORS and determine if the run would have scored. A runner can advance on an error and the run can still be earned but only IF it would have scored without an error.

quote:

Because there are two outs in each situation and runners scored as a result of errors (continuing the inning) then the runs are unearned like you thought.

Not always the case. Errors don't always result in a continuation of an inning. For instance. Man on (1B) 2 outs. Pickoff to 1B is a bad throw and the runner advances to 2b BECAUSE of the bad throw. Score the advance to 2B as E-1. Next man smacks a HR which results in TWO EARNED RUNS. You cannot assume an out on the pickoff.
Fungo

Except in extraordinary circumstances, you would score the runs unearned in the first two scenarios because you don't ordinarily expect a run to score from first on a single. Thus the runs scored only with aid from the errors.

In the third scenario, the answer is, it depends. If the runner breaks on first movement, then it's probably a steal attempt, and the wild throw here does nothing more than not get the runner. If the runner was clearly picked off, and only started running to second after he was a dead duck, a scorekeeper would have discretion to charge a caught stealing and an error. So whether the run is earned or unearned turns on how you saw the play.

The rules do specifically state that any doubt is to be resolved in favor of the pitcher, so you could call it unearned.

How about this scenario.

Runner on 1st steals 2nd and advances to 3rd on a errant throw by catcher. 2 out runner scores on a single through left side. 3rd out pops up. Runner had advanced to third on a error and would not likely advance on the hit through left side. ER or not ?

Scorekeeper's judgement.

quote:

Originally posted by BobbleheadDoll:
How about this scenario.

Runner on 1st steals 2nd and advances to 3rd on a errant throw by catcher. 2 out runner scores on a single through left side. 3rd out pops up. Runner had advanced to third on a error and would not likely advance on the hit through left side. ER or not ?

I would assume he would have scored on a hit to the left side (middle or right side) if there were two outs. He should be running on the crack of the bat.