$Unique_ID{BAS01283}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Appendix:  Rules and Scoring:  Part 6}
$Subtitle{}
$Author{
Bingham, Dennis
Heitz, Thomas R.}
$Subject{Rule Rules Score Scoring Change Changes}
$Log{}

Total Baseball:  Appendixes


Rules and Scoring:  Part 6

Dennis Bingham and Thomas R. Heitz


1931

Assist  Credit an assist to a player who, by deflecting a batted ball with his
glove or any part of his body, aids in retiring the batsman or another
baserunner.
     Credit an assist to each player who handles and throws the ball in such a
way that a putout would have resulted except for the error of a teammate.
     Do not credit an assist to a fielder who makes a bad throw, even when a
runner trying to advance on it is subsequently retired. A play that follows
an error is a new play and the player making an error is not entitled to an
assist unless he takes part in the new play.
     Do not credit an assist to the pitcher when, in legally delivering the
ball to the batsman, he helps to retire a runner attempting to steal home.

Base Hit  A base hit shall be scored in the following cases: (1) When a fair
hit is made, as defined in the Playing Rules, and the batsman reaches first
base safely; (2) When a fair hit ball is partially or wholly stopped by a
fielder in motion, but such player cannot recover himself in time to field the
ball to first before the batsman reaches that base, or to some other base in
time to force out another runner; (3) When a ball is hit with such force to an
infielder or pitcher that he cannot handle it in time to put out the batsman
or force out a baserunner; except when the ball is recovered by another
fielder in time to retire the batsman or force out a baserunner. In case of
doubt over this kind of hit, a base hit should be scored and the fielder be
exempted from the charge of an error.

Earned Run  A run earned off the pitcher shall be scored every time a player
reaches home base by the aid of safe hits, sacrifice hits, stolen bases,
putouts, bases on balls, hit batsman, wild pitches, or balks, before fielding
chances have been offered to retire the side.
     The pitcher shall be given the benefit of doubt whenever fielding errors
are made and in determining the base to which a runner should have been held
with perfect support on part of fielders. A fielding error made by the
pitcher shall be considered the same as any other fielding error. No run can
be earned that scores as a result of the batsman having reached first base on
a catcher's interference, a fielding error, or passed ball; nor can any run be
earned after the fielding side has failed to accept chances offered to retire
the side.
     Note: The phrase "catcher's interference" has been added to the prior
rule. See entry for 1917.

Error  An error, but not a passed ball, shall be charged to the catcher if he
drops or misses a third strike, allowing the batsman to reach first base.
Credit the pitcher with a strikeout.
     An error shall be charged to the first baseman (or the pitcher or second
baseman when covering first base) if, on receiving a throw in ample time to
retire the batsman, he does not touch first base as required by rule. The same
rule shall be followed with respect to any fielder covering any other base on
a force play.

Forfeited Game  In a regulation game which the umpire shall declare forfeited
after four and one-half innings have been played, all individual and team
averages shall be incorporated in the official playing records.

Game-Ending Hit  If, in the last half of the final inning, with the winning
run on base, the batsman drives home that run, credit shall be given him for
as many bases as, in the judgment of the official scorer, he would have made
under normal conditions; the number, however, not to exceed the number of
bases advanced by the runner; except when the batsman drives a fair ball out
of the playing field, he shall receive credit for a home run, provided he
legally touches each base in proper order.

Hit by Pitch  When a batsman is hit by what would have been the fourth called
ball, it shall be scored as a "hit by pitcher."

Passed Ball  See Error.

Percentage  In determining averages where the remaining fraction is one-half
or over, a full point is to be added to the average.

Putout  The number of opponents, if any, put out by each player shall be set
down in the fourth column. When the batsman is called out by the umpire for
an illegally batted ball, or for a foul third strike bunt, or for being hit by
his own batted ball, or for interference with the catcher, or for failing to
bat in proper turn, the putout shall be credited to the catcher. When a
baserunner is declared out on an infield fly, the putout shall be credited to
the player who would have made the play except for the action of the runner or
the announcement of the umpire. When a baserunner is declared out because of
being hit by a batted ball, the putout shall be credited to the fielder
nearest to the ball at the time of the occurrence.

Run Batted In  Runs batted in should include runs scored on safe hits
(including home runs), sacrifice hits, infield outs, and when the run is
forced over by reason of batsman becoming a baserunner. With less than two
out, if an error is made on a play on which a runner from third would
ordinarily score, credit the batsman with a run batted in.

Sacrifice Rule  Awarding of sacrifice flies was abolished.

Stolen Base  In the event of a palpable muff of a ball thrown by the catcher,
when, in the judgment of the scorer, the baserunner would have been out if the
ball had been held, the infielder making the muff shall be charged with an
error and the baserunner shall not be credited with a stolen base.
     When a wild pitch or a passed ball occurs after a runner has started to
steal, do not credit the runner with a stolen base but charge the wild pitch
or passed ball.
     Do not give a stolen base to a runner who has started to steal and the
pitcher balks.

Time at Bat  A "Time at Bat" is the term at bat of a batsman. It begins when
he takes his position, and continues until he is put out or becomes a
baserunner. But a time at bat shall not be charged against a batsman who is
awarded first base by the umpire for being hit by a pitched ball, or on called
balls, or when he makes a sacrifice hit, or for interference by the catcher.
     Note: This rule is Rule 69, Sec. 5, of the Playing Rules.
     The first item in the tabulated score, after the player's name and
position, shall be the number of times he has been at bat during the game, but
the exceptions made in Rule 69, Sec. 5, must not be included.
     Note: See above entry for Rule 69, Sec. 5, of the Playing Rules.

Wild Pitch  A wild pitch is a legally delivered ball, so high, low, or wide of
the plate that the catcher cannot or does not stop and control it with
ordinary effort, and as a result the batsman reaches first base or a
baserunner advances. Any pitched ball that strikes the ground before reaching
the home plate and passes the catcher, allowing runners to advance, shall be
scored as a wild pitch.

1932-38

     There were no changes to the scoring rules in these years.

1939

Base Hit/Value  In event of a batsman oversliding second or third bases and
being tagged by the opposing fielder when said batsman is attempting to
stretch a single into a two-base hit or a two-base hit into a three-base hit,
the play should be scored the same as when a baserunner attempts to steal,
overslides the base and is tagged out. In other words, the batsman
oversliding second base and is tagged out shall be credited only with a
single, while one who overslides third base and is tagged out shall be
credited only with a two-base hit.

Earned Run  A wild pitch which is a third strike is to be used in determining
earned runs charged to the pitcher.

Run Batted In  The batsman shall not be credited with driving in a run when a
runner scores as he hits into a force infield double play or a double play in
which the first baseman picks up a fair hit ground ball, touches first base
and then throws to second retiring the runner who had been on first, said
runner not being forced, has to be tagged out.

Sacrifice  A sacrifice hit also shall be credited to the batsman who, when no
one is out or when but one man is out, hits a fly ball that is caught but
which results in a baserunner scoring, or would have scored a runner if said
fly ball had not been dropped for an error, in the judgment of the scorer; but
no distinction shall be made in the summary as between bunted or fly ball
sacrifices.

1940

Base Hit  In all cases where a baserunner is retired by being hit by a batted
ball, unless batted by himself, the batsman should be credited with a base
hit, except if the runner is hit by an infield fly, the play should be scored
as provided in the Playing Rules (Sec. 8 of Rule 44).

Earned Run  A run earned off the pitcher shall be scored every time a player
reaches home base by the aid of safe hits, sacrifice hits, stolen bases,
putouts, bases on balls, hit batsman, wild pitches, or balks, even though the
wild pitch be a third strike, before fielding chances have been offered to
retire the team. The preceding pitcher, and not a relieving pitcher shall be
charged with runs scored by any runners on base when such relief pitcher
entered the game. The relieving pitcher shall not be charged with his first
batsman reaching first base if such batsman had any advantage because of poor
pitching by the preceding pitcher. With the count two or three balls and one
or no strikes, or three balls and two strikes, charge preceding pitcher if
batsman reaches first base, but credit relieving pitcher if batsman is
retired. With count one or two balls and two strikes, charge relieving
pitcher if batsman reaches first base and credit him if batsman is retired.

Forfeited Game  In a regulation game which the umpire shall declare forfeited
after four and one-half innings have been played, all individual and team
averages shall be incorporated in the official playing records, except that no
pitcher shall be credited with a victory or charged with a loss in said game.

1941-49

     There were no changes to the scoring rules in these years.

1950

Assist  An assist shall be credited to each player who throws or deflects a
batted or thrown ball in such a way that a putout results, or would have
resulted except for a subsequent error by a teammate, but only one assist and
no more shall be credited to each player who throws or deflects the ball in a
rundown play which results in a putout, or would have resulted in a putout,
except for a subsequent error.
     Credit an assist to each player who throws or deflects the ball during a
play which results in a baserunner being called out for interference, or for
running out of line.
     Do not credit an assist to a pitcher when, in legally delivering the ball
to a batter, he helps to retire a baserunner attempting to steal home.
     Situations will arise in which a wild throw shall be scored as an assist
and not as an error while on some plays a wild throw shall be scored both as
an assist and as an error.
     Note: The scoring rules for 1950 then present four detailed examples
illustrating the application of the assist provisions.

Base Hit  A base hit shall be scored under these circumstances: (1) When a
batter reaches first base (or any succeeding base) safely on a legally batted
ball which settles on fair ground or strikes a fence behind fair ground before
being touched by a fielder, or which clears a fence behind fair territory; (2)
When a batter reaches first base after hitting a ball with such force, or so
slowly, that the pitcher or fielder attempting to make a play with it has no
opportunity to do so; (3) When a batter reaches first base safely on a batted
ball which strikes either first base, second, or third base before being
touched by a fielder and bounces away from the reach of the fielder; (4) When
a batter reaches first base safely on a legally batted ball which has not been
touched by a fielder and which is in fair territory when it bounds into the
outfield unless in the scorer's judgment it could have been handled with
ordinary effort; (5) When a legally batted ball which has not been touched by
a fielder becomes "dead" by reason of touching the person or clothing of a
runner or umpire, except that when a runner is called out for having been
struck by an "infield fly" the batter shall not be credited with a hit; (6)
When, in the scorer's judgment, the batter could not have been retired at
first base by perfect fielding, when the fielder fails in an attempt to retire
a preceding baserunner; (7) Always give the batter the benefit of the doubt.
A safe course to follow being to score a hit when exceptionally good fielding
of a batted ball fails to result in a putout; (8) In no case shall a base hit
be scored when a runner is forced out by a batted ball, or would have been
forced out except for a fielding error. Nor shall a hit be scored when an
infield batted ball results in another runner, who is attempting to advance
one base, being retired, whether forced out or not; (9) Score the play as a
"fielder's choice" when a fielder uses a batted ball to retire a preceding
baserunner, or would have retired one with ordinary effort except for a
fielding error, charging the batter with time at bat, but no hit.

Base Hit/Value  Whether a safe hit shall be scored as a one-base hit, two-base
hit or a three-base hit when no error or putout results shall be determined as
follows:
     It is a one-base hit if the batter stops at first base; it is a two-base
hit if the batter stops at second base; it is a three-base hit if the batter
stops at third base, but note this exception: the batter must, if attempting
to take two or three bases on a safe hit by sliding, hold the last base to
which he advances. If he overslides and is tagged out before getting back to
the base safely he shall be given credit for only as many bases as he safely
attained. If he overslides second base and is tagged out he shall be given a
one-base hit; if he overslides third base and is tagged out, he shall be given
a two-base hit. If he runs past second base after reaching that base on his
feet, attempts to return and is tagged out, he shall be given credit for a
two-base hit. If he runs past third base after reaching that base on his
feet, attempts to return and is tagged out, he shall be given credit for a
three-base hit.
     If a batter is awarded three bases on a batted or bunted ball because a
fielder has touched the ball with his glove, cap, or any other part of his
uniform while such article is detached from its proper place on his person,
the scorer's judgment shall dictate whether the batter shall be given credit
for a one-base hit, a two-base hit, a three-base hit, or a home run. If the
scorer believes the fielder could have, by ordinary effort, kept the hit from
being good for more than one, two, or three bases he shall score it as a
one-base hit or as a two-base hit or as a three-base hit and charge the
fielder with an error. If, however, the scorer believes the hit would have
been a legitimate home run, despite illegal use of equipment, he shall so
score it if the batter touches all bases in the proper order.
     In no instance shall the batter be credited with a two-base hit or a
three-base hit if he fail to advance a preceding runner whose advance is
necessary to permit the batter to reach second or third base. Example:
Runner on first, batter makes a long hit and reaches second but runner is
thrown out at third. Score a one-base hit and credit batter with reaching
second on the play.
     Should a batter, after making a safe hit, be called out for having failed
to touch a base, the last base he reached safely shall determine if his hit is
scored as a one-base hit, a two-base hit, or a three-base hit. If he is
called out for missing second base, the hit shall be scored as a one-base hit.
If he is called out for missing third base, his hit shall be scored as a
two-base hit. If he is tagged out after missing home base, his hit shall be
scored as a three-base hit. If he is called out for missing first base, he
shall be charged with a time at bat but no hit.
     When a batter ends a game with a safe hit, other than a home run, which
drives in as many runs as are necessary to put his team in the lead, he shall
be credited with only as many bases on his hit as are advanced by the runner
who scores the winning run, and then only if the batter runs out his hit for
as many bases as are advanced by the runner who scores the winning run,
touching each base in the proper order.
     If a batter ends a game with a home run out of the playing field and
touches all the bases in their proper order, his run, and also the runs of all
other runners who were on base when the home run was hit, shall count in the
final score even though this gives the team last at bat a winning margin in
excess of one run.

Base on Balls  A base on balls shall be scored whenever a batter is awarded
first base by the umpire because of four balls having been pitched outside the
strike zone, but when the fourth such ball strike the batter it shall be
scored as a "hit batter."

Championship  To be eligible for the individual batting championship of any
minor league, a player must have appeared in at least two-thirds of the games
played by his team. Thus, if a team plays 154 games, a player must appear in
102 games. If his team plays 150 games he must appear in 100. If his team
plays 140 games he must appear in 93, etc.
     To be eligible for the individual batting championship of a major league,
a player must be credited with at least 400 official "times at bat."

Double Play  A double play is any two successive putouts which take place
between the time a ball leaves a pitcher's hand and is returned to him while
he is standing in the pitcher's box.

Earned Run  An earned run is a run for which the pitching is held accountable.
     An earned run shall be scored every time a player reaches home base by
the aid of safe hits, sacrifices, stolen bases, putouts, bases on balls, hit
batters, balks, or wild pitches (even though a wild pitch be a third strike
which enables a batter to reach first base), before fielding chances have been
offered to retire the offensive team.
     Since a wild pitch on which a batter reaches first base is the pitcher's
fault, solely, even though it is scored as a fielding error, it shall be
disregarded as an error and considered as a wild pitch in computing earned
runs and is the only instance in which an error is so disregarded.
     In computing earned runs, any type of fielding error made by a pitcher
(other than the one mentioned in the preceding two paragraphs) shall be
considered in the same light as an error by any other fielder.
     Whenever a fielding error occurs the pitcher shall be given the benefit
of the doubt in determining to which bases any baserunners would have advanced
had the fielding by the defensive team been errorless.
     No run can be earned which scores as a result of a batter having reached
first base safely because of a catcher's interference, or because of any
fielding error, except a wild pitch.
     When pitchers are changed during an inning, the preceding pitcher, and
not the relieving pitcher, shall be charged with any earned or unearned runs
scored by any runners on base when such relief pitcher entered the game. There
is, however, this exception: If the action of any batter to whom the
relieving pitcher pitches results in the retirement of a runner left on base
by the preceding pitcher, the batter whose action resulted in the retirement
of that runner shall be considered as having been left on base by the
preceding pitcher and any run scored by such runner shall be charged to the
preceding pitcher.
     A relieving pitcher shall not be held accountable for the first batter to
whom he pitches reaching first base if that batter had a decided advantage
because of ineffective pitching by the pitcher whom the relieving pitcher
succeeded. Thus, if the count is two or three balls and one or no strikes, or
if the count is three balls and two strikes when pitchers are changed, and the
batter reaches first base safely, charge that batter to the pitcher who was
replaced. If such a batter is retired, or would have been retired except for
a fielding error, the batter shall be credited to the relieving pitcher.
Likewise, if such a batter hits into a force-out or into a fielder's choice on
which a runner is retired, or would have been retired except for a fielding
error, credit the action of such a batter to the relieving pitcher. (The
foregoing sentence is not to be construed as affecting or conflicting with the
exception noted.)  If pitchers are changed when the count is two balls and one
or no strikes, or one ball and one or no strikes, the relieving pitcher shall
be held accountable for whatever the batter does.

Error  An error shall be scored for each misplay (fumble, muff, or wild throw)
which prolongs the time at bat of a batter, or which prolongs the life of a
runner, or which permits a runner to advance one or more bases when perfect
play would have resulted in the batter or the runner being retired.
     Certain misplays by the catcher and pitcher known as "passed balls" and
"wild pitches" are not errors but items for the summary and are defined
elsewhere in these rules.
     Errors are not charged when a batter is awarded first base because of a
base on balls, or for being struck by a pitched ball, or if a runner, or
runners, advance because of a passed ball or because of the pitcher making a
balk or a wild pitch, except: If a batter swings at a wild pitch for his
third strike and thereby is enabled to reach first base, it shall be scored as
a strikeout and also as an error for the pitcher and not a wild pitch; when a
catcher muffs a third strike, thereby permitting a batter to reach first base,
it shall be scored as an error for the catcher, not a passed ball, and as a
strikeout.
     No error shall be charged against the catcher or any other player for
making a wild throw in attempting to prevent a stolen base or any other
advance by a runner, unless the scorer is convinced such wild throw permitted
the runner to advance one or more bases. If the wild throw permits a runner
to advance an extra base, or bases, one error shall be charged to the player
making the wild throw.
     When any player throws wildly in attempting to complete a double play, or
a triple play, no error shall be scored unless the throw is so wild that at
least one additional base be gained. However, if a fielder muff a thrown ball
which, if held, would have completed a double play or a triple play, score an
error for the player who drops the ball.
     An error shall be scored against any player who, on receiving a thrown
ball in ample time to retire a batter or any other baserunner on a force play,
does not touch the base as required by the rules.
     When a runner advances because of the failure of a fielder to stop, or
try to stop, an accurately thrown ball, the fielder failing to stop the ball
shall be charged with an error and not the player making the throw, provided
there was occasion for the throw. If such throw be made to second base the
scorer shall determine whether it was the duty of the second baseman or the
shortstop to stop the ball, and he shall charge the error to the negligent
player.
     No error shall be scored if any fielder, after dropping a fly ball, a
line drive or a thrown ball recovers the ball in time to force out a runner at
another base.
     Accurately directed throws, especially from the outfield, which strike a
baserunner or an umpire, or which take an unnatural bounce and permit a
baserunner or baserunners to advance, shall be scored as errors for the player
making the throw, even though it appears to be doing an injustice to the
thrower. Every base advanced by a baserunner must be accounted for.

Game-Ending Hit  See last two paragraphs, Base Hit/Value.

Hit by Pitch  See Base on Balls.

Innings Pitched  In giving a pitcher credit for the number of innings pitched
divide each inning into three parts. Thus, if a pitcher is replaced, with one
opponent out, in the sixth inning the pitcher so replaced shall be credited
with having pitched 5 1/3 innings. If a pitcher is replaced with none out in
the opposing team's sixth inning he shall be credited with having pitched 5
innings and a notation made to the effect that there were none out in the
sixth inning.

Passed Ball  A catcher shall be charged with a passed ball when a runner, or
runners, advance because of the catcher's failure to hold or to control a
legally pitched ball which should have been held or controlled with ordinary
effort.

Percentage  To determine a pitcher's earned run prevention average for a
season, the total number of earned runs charged against his pitching shall be
divided by the total number of innings he has pitched, then multiplied by nine
to find his average effectiveness for a complete game.
     (a) To determine the percentage of games won and lost divide the total
number of games won and lost into the number won.
     (b) To determine a batting average, divide the total "times at bat" into
the total number of safe hits.
     (c) To determine a slugging percentage, divide the total "times at bat"
into the total bases of all safe hits.
     (d) To determine a fielding average, divide the total of putouts,
assists, and errors into the total of putouts and assists.

Putout  A putout shall be recorded each time a defensive player catches a fly
ball, whether fair or foul, a line drive or a thrown ball which retires a
batter or runner, or when a fielder tags a runner with the ball when the
runner is off the base to which he legally is entitled.
     Automatic putouts shall be credited to the catcher as follows: (1) When
a batter is called out by the umpire for an illegally batted ball; when a
batter is called out by the umpire for bunting foul for his third strike; when
a batter is called out by an umpire for being struck by his own batted ball;
when a batter is called out by an umpire for interfering with the catcher;
when a batter is called out by an umpire for failing to bat in his proper
turn. (Note exception in 10.14 (a).) (2) Other automatic putouts shall be
credited as follows: (3) When a batter is called out on an infield fly which
is not caught, the putout shall be credited to the fielder whom the scorer
believes could have made the putout; (4) When a runner is called out for being
struck by a fair ball (including an infield fly) the putout shall be credited
to the fielder nearest the ball; (5) When a runner is declared out by an
umpire for running out of line to avoid being tagged by the ball in the hands
of a fielder, the putout shall be credited to the fielder whom the runner
avoided; (6) When a runner is declared out by the umpire for having interfered
with a fielder, credit the putout to the fielder with whom the runner
interfered, unless the fielder was in the act of throwing the ball when
interfered with, in which case the putout shall be credited to the fielder for
whom the throw was intended, and the fielder whose throw was interfered with
shall be credited with an assist.

Relief Pitcher  See last two paragraphs, Earned Run.

Runs Batted In  A run batted in is a run which reaches home base safely
because of a safe hit, sacrifice hit, infield putout or outfield putout, or
which is forced over home plate by reason of the batter being struck by a
pitched ball, or being awarded a base on balls, or being awarded first base
because of interference by the catcher. If a batter hit a home run with the
bases empty, score both a home run and a run batted in. If, with less than
two out, an error is made on a play on which a runner from third base
ordinarily would score and does score, credit the batter with a run batted in.
     The batter shall not be credited with a run batted in if a run scores
when he hits into a force double play, or into a double play in which the
first baseman fields a fair hit ground ball, touches first base ahead of the
batter for an out, then throws to second or third base, retiring a second
runner who has to be tagged.

Sacrifice  Score a sacrifice if, with less than two out, the batter advances
one or more runners with a bunt and is retired at first base, or would have
been retired except for a fielding error. In case a runner is forced out at
any base on a bunt, it shall be scored as a time at bat but no sacrifice.

Scorer  The scorer is an actual official of the game he is scoring, is an
accredited representative of the league, is entitled to the respect and
dignity of his office and shall be accorded full protection by the president
of the league.
     The scorer shall report to the President of the league any indignity
expressed by manager, player, club employee or club official in the course of,
or as the result of, the discharge of his duties.
     To promote uniformity in keeping the records of championship games,
scorers shall conform to the instructions of this scoring code.

Scoring Summary  In making a box score of a game, each player's name and the
fielding position or positions he has played shall be listed in the order in
which he batted, or would have batted if the game ends before he gets to bat,
followed by a tabulated record of each player's batting and fielding. (a) The
first column shall show the number of times each player batted during the
game, but no time at bat shall be charged against a player when he is awarded
first base on four called balls, for being hit by a pitched ball, or because
of being interfered with by the catcher, or for being obstructed by the
catcher or any other player, while en route to first base. A sacrifice also
exempts a player from being charged with a time at bat. (b) The second column
shall show the number of runs, if any, made by each player. (c) The third
column shall show the number of safe hits, if any, made by each player. (d)
The fourth column shall show the number of putouts, if any, made by each
player. (e) The fifth column shall show the number of fielding assists, if
any, made by each player. (f) The sixth column shall show the number of
fielding errors, if any, made by each player. (g) All players inserted into
each team's lineup as substitute batters or substitute runners shall be so
designated by special symbols plus notations at the bottom of their team's
tabulated record. The symbols a, b, c, d, etc., are recommended. It also is
recommended that the notations should describe what the extra batters did,
such as--a-Singled for in sixth inning; b-Flied out for in third inning;
c-Forced for in seventh inning; d-Grounded out for in ninth inning. (h) The
score by innings of each team follows the box score tabulations and precedes
the summary in which should be listed the following items in this order: (1)
Runs batted in; (2) Two-base hits; (3) Three-base hits; (4) Home runs,
together with the names of the pitchers off whom hit; (5) Stolen bases; (6)
Sacrifices; (7) Double plays; (8) Triple plays; (9) Number of runners left on
base by each team; (10) Number of bases on balls issued by each pitcher; (11)
Number of batters struck out by each pitcher. These shall be listed as
"strikeouts"; (12) Number of hits and runs (also earned runs) allowed by each
pitcher (if one or both teams use more than one pitcher), together with the
number of innings pitched by each pitcher. If a team uses only one pitcher,
list the number of earned runs he allowed; (13) The names of any hit batters
together with the names of the pitchers who hit them, if a team uses more than
one pitcher; (14) The number of wild pitches made; (15) The number of passed
balls made by the catchers; (16) The name of the winning pitcher, if the
winning team uses more than one pitcher; (17) The name of the losing pitcher,
if the losing team uses more than one pitcher; (18) The names of the umpires,
listed in this order: (a) plate umpire; (b) first base umpire; (c) second
base umpire; (d) third base umpire; (19) The time of game with any delays for
rain, fog, snow, light failure or violent wind storm deducted; (20) All
individual and team records of any forfeited or tied game which has reached or
exceeded legal length when ended shall become a part of the official averages
except that no pitcher shall be credited with a victory or charged with a
defeat; (21)  A box score is in balance (or proved) when the total of a team's
times at bat, bases on balls received, hit batters, sacrifices and batters
awarded first base because of interference or obstruction equals the total of
that team's runs, players left on base, and the other team's putouts.

Stolen Base  A stolen base shall be credited to a runner whenever he advances
one base unaided by a base hit, a putout, a forceout, a fielder's choice, a
passed ball, a wild pitch or a balk, subject to the following exceptions:
     If a double or triple steal is attempted and one runner is thrown out
before reaching and holding the base he is attempting to steal, no other
runner shall be credited with a stolen base;
     A runner who is touched out after oversliding a base shall not be
regarded as having stolen that base.
     If it is the scorer's judgment that a palpable muff of a thrown ball
prevents a runner who is attempting to steal from being retired, it shall be
scored as an error for the player muffing the throw, an assist for the player
throwing the ball, and not a stolen base.
     No stolen base shall be scored when a runner advances solely because of
the defensive team's indifference to his advancement.
     If a runner advances while the defensive team, unsuccessfully, is
attempting to retire another runner who, in attempting to steal, evades being
put out in a rundown play and returns to the base he originally occupied, a
stolen base shall be credited to the runner who so advances.
     If a runner has started for a succeeding base before the pitcher delivers
the ball and the pitch results in a wild pitch or a passed ball, credit the
runner with a stolen base with this exception: If another runner also
advances because of the pitch becoming a wild pitch or passed ball, the wild
pitch or passed ball also shall be scored.
     If a runner, attempting to steal, is well advanced toward the base he is
attempting to steal and a balk is called on the pitcher, credit the runner
with a stolen base and do not score the balk unless another runner who is not
attempting to steal is advanced by the balk.
     Note: This paragraph was dropped in 1951.

Squeeze Play  "Squeeze play" is the term designating a play when a team, with
a runner on third base, attempts to score that runner by means of a bunt. It
also is a "squeeze play" if an attempt is made to score a runner from second
base by means of a bunt.

Strikeout  A strikeout shall be scored whenever a pitcher delivers three legal
pitches at which the batter swings and misses, or which the umpire decrees are
strikes even though the batter may reach first base safely after the third
strike by reason of a wild pitch or the catcher's failure to hold the ball.
     A strikeout shall be scored whenever a batter bunts foul when there are
two strikes against him, except that should the bunt result in a foul fly
caught by the catcher or any other player it shall not be scored as a
strikeout but as a regular foul-fly putout.
     When a batter goes out of the game with two strikes against him and the
substitute batter completes a strikeout, score it as a strikeout for the first
batter. If the substitute batter completes the turn at bat in any other
manner, score the action as having been that of the substitute batter.

Substitute Batter  See last paragraph, Strikeout.

Triple Play  A triple play is any three successive putouts which take place
between the time a ball leaves a pitcher's hand and is returned to him while
he is standing in the pitcher's box.

Wild Pitch  A wild pitch shall be scored when a legally delivered ball is so
high, or so wide, or so low that the catcher does not stop and control the
ball by ordinary effort and, as a result, a runner, or runners, advance.
     Any legally pitched ball which strikes the ground before reaching home
plate and passes the catcher, permitting a runner, or runners, to advance
shall be scored as a wild pitch.

Winning and Losing Pitcher  Determining the winning and losing pitcher of a
game often calls for much careful consideration.
     Do not give the starting pitcher credit for a game won, even if the score
is in his favor, unless he has pitched at least five innings when replaced.
     The five-inning rule to determine a winning pitcher shall be in effect
for all games of six or more innings. When a game is called after five
innings of play the starting pitcher must have pitched at least four innings
to be credited with the victory. If the starting pitcher is replaced (except
in a five-inning game) before he has pitched five complete innings when his
team is ahead, remains ahead to win, and more than one relief pitcher is used
by his team, the scorer shall credit the victory (as among all relieving
pitchers) to the pitcher whom the scorer considers to have done the most
effective pitching. If, in a five-inning game, the starting pitcher is
replaced before pitching four complete innings when his team is ahead, remains
ahead to win, and more than one relief pitcher is used by his team, the scorer
shall credit the victory (as among all relieving pitchers) to the pitcher whom
the scorer considers to have done the most effective pitching.
     Regardless of how many innings the first pitcher has pitched, he shall be
charged with the loss of the game if he is replaced when his team is behind in
the score, and his team thereafter fails to either tie the score or gain the
lead.
     If a pitcher retires from the game for a substitute batter, or a
substitute runner, after pitching five or more innings and his team scores
enough runs in the inning in which he is replaced to take the lead, those runs
shall be credited to his benefit. Thus, if a pitcher is removed for a
substitute batter or a substitute baserunner in any inning after the pitcher
has pitched at least five complete innings and during the inning in which he
is removed his team assumes the lead, he shall be credited with the victory if
his team remains ahead until the finish of the game.
     Examples: If the pitcher of the team first at bat is removed in the
first half of the sixth inning for a substitute batter, or a substitute
runner, and his team gains the lead in that inning and the relieving pitcher
holds the lead through the last half of the ninth inning, the pitcher who was
removed shall be credited with the victory; if the pitcher of the team last at
bat is removed in the last half of the fifth inning for a substitute batter,
or a substitute runner, and his team gains the lead in that inning with the
relieving pitcher holding the lead through the ninth inning, the pitcher who
was removed shall be credited with the victory.