Scenario: Batter hits a ground ball up the middle past the pitcher and the short stop makes an exceptional move to get to the ball and when he does, makes a jump & twisting throw to first base that is on line but not quite there and is at the firstbaseman's feet. The runner is safe because the firstbaseman doesn't handle the throw. Would have been close either way.

I scored this an E6 on the throw to first and the runner on base via error. I was challenged on the scoring by someone saying that since the play was not routine, then the error should not be given and the batter should be credited with a base hit. I admit it would have been an incredible play to have gotten the out but since the throw was on line but low, I credited the error to short.

What's your thoughts????

I'm sure you had to be there to see it -- but from your description, I'd side with the person who challenged you. And your admission that it would have been an incredible play ... is further evidence on the side of not scoring it as an error.

"10.12(d) The official scorer shall not charge an error against:
.....
(2) any fielder who makes a wild throw if in the scorer’s judgment the runner
would not have been put out with ordinary effort by a good throw, unless such
wild throw permits any runner to advance beyond the base he would have
reached had the throw not been wild;"

A jump and a twisting throw doesn't sound like ordinary effort to me.

Thanks for your responses. That's why I like asking these questions. I agree it was an almost "had to be there" situation but I have described it as best I can and after seeing the quote from the OBR, I would have to agree that it wasn't an error.

Thanks again,
UTB

Had the defense completed the play, would the defensive teams fan's be jumping up and down and yelling at how great the play was? If so, maybe it wasn't ordinary and therefore not an error.

Having Pitcher frustration from son about error or not. For instance his last game. First pitch a bunt down 3rd base line that the 3rd baseman stood and looked over the ball hoping it would roll foul (which it did not) instead of picking it up and throwing it to 1st base. This is a hit not an error because he did not touch the ball.
Then the next inning a hit out to left field that our outfielder just stood and watched go over his head then turned around and ran after it. SO his frustration is. Do I need to strike out every kid (He is a groundball pitcher) What does he do I told him not to worry about this high school ball with ERA's its not a big deal. If the kids do not make an effort to field a ball it is a hit and that is that. Just a little frustrating for him he says it feels more like Little League than HIgh School Baseball. Just go out and do your personal best and stop worrying about stats. Forget about dropped 3rd strikes that actually get on base. Which I guess also gets counted as a hit. If scorekeeper wants you to look bad they can. What team wants a lot of errors. Its easier to charge against pitcher.

quote:

Forget about dropped 3rd strikes that actually get on base. Which I guess also gets counted as a hit.

Not the case: it would be scored either as Strikeout and passed ball or strikeout and wild pitch (no errors charged). Either way, the pitcher gets credit for the strikeout, and the batter does not get credit for a hit.

And if that guy happens to eventually score (with no subsequent errors taking place), it's unearned if he got there via passed ball, and earned if he got there via wild pitch.