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TCWBA CONSTITUTION

Established - 2000

Last update:...May 16, 2017...

Table of Contents

• I---- Government
• II--- Player Limits & Eligibility
• III-- Roster
• IV--- Trades
• V---- Free Agent Draft
• VI--- Series play
• VII-- Protests
• VIII- Playoffs
• IX--- APBA format
• X---- APBA Game Play Clarifications
• XI--- TCWBA alterations
• XII-- Scoring aids

I - GOVERNMENT

COMPOSITION

• The TCWBA will consist of eighteen teams divided into three divisions of six teams each.
• The divisions will be named Bob Prince, Harry Caray and David Hamilton.
• Each team will be managed by one person, although an assistant may be used, subject to commissioner approval

 

SEASON

• The TCWBA regular season will run from October 1 thru March 30th.

 

COMMISSIONER

• The TCWBA will be run under the direction of one person, the commissioner. His decision on any matter will be final.
• Rule changes will be done by the commissioner requesting a vote on the proposed change.
• The commissioner may judge a proposal to be so important that league approval with a 2/3 affirmative vote, is required.
• The commissioner (or his delegate) will be responsible for administering all items relating to the league.

 

RULE CHANGES

• Changes to this constitution will be done in the form of a proposal to the entire league issued from the commissioner.
• A 2/3 affirmative vote is required for any rule change unless a simple majority vote is authorized by commissioner.

 

EXPANSION

• Upon a 3/4 affirmative vote by the league, expansion will be permitted to the size approved.
• The expansion team(s) roster will be filled by all existing teams protecting 12 players.
• The new team(s) will select one player from each team per round.
• At the conclusion of each round, the existing teams will then protect two more players.
• This process will continue until the expansion team(s) has 32 players.

 

II- PLAYER LIMITS & ELIGIBILITY

ELIGIBLE

• Any player carded in 30 man APBA rosters for the current year.
• Non-carded players may be carried on the roster of any team, if the player remains on a roster since last carded.
• The Commissioner will publish rosters for each team showing player limits and eligible positions

 

POSITION PLAYERS

• GAME LIMITS
• Player game limits are calculated as follows: (all fractions rounded to 1 decimal pt)
• MLB PA per game @ 3.1 or more = actual games
• MLB PA per game between 2.4 and 3.1 = actual games x 0.7
• MLB PA per game less than 2.4 = actual plate appearances (shows a "P" on your roster).
•  
• DEFENSIVE POSITIONS
• The commissioner will publish a list of qualified defensive starting positions, in the form of an official roster.
• Qualification for use at any position is determined by meeting either of the following criteria:
• .. Played five games at the position in the last MLB season & carded by APBA(or)
• .. Played 5% of games at the position if actual games are less than 100 & carded by APBA
• Players not qualified may be used only as an injury or ejection replacement

 

LIMITS - PITCHERS

• STARTS/INNINGS
• All pitchers regardless of grade are restricted to their actual number of starts.
• All pitchers regardless of grade are restricted to their actual complete innings as a starter and/or reliever except:
• ... Grade D pitchers allowed to start have unlimited start innings
• ... Grade D pitchers with five (5) or more relief innings have unlimited relief innings
•  
• Any starter with a season total of less than 1 complete inning will be reduced to 0 starts.
• When no qualified SP or RP is available then a position player will be used as a pitcher. Grade is Dw1
•  
• REST DAYS
• Starting pitchers must have at least three games rest between starts.
• Any starter who can also relieve, must have 3 games rest between starting and a relief appearance or vice versa
• Byes do NOT count as 3 games rest.
•  
• ROTATION
• Each team must set a starting rotation that complies with rest requirements.
• The rotation is sequential from one series to the next series
• The away games against each team happen before the home games.
• .. In other words your first home game will be game 4 (3/3 weeks) or game 5 (4/4 weeks) or game 6 (5/5 weeks)
•  
• PITCHERS BATTING/RUNNING
• They are restricted to their actual plate appearances
• They may never be used as a pinch hitter.
• They may be used as a pinch runner.

 

OVERUSE

• Teams that overuse players will receive the following penalty.
• Penalties are based on games and/or plate appearances for position players - Starts and/or innings for pitchers:
  • 1 player... Any amount, the team will lose their 5th round pick in the next free agent draft.
  • 2 players.. The team will lose it's 4th round draft pick in the next free agent draft.
  • 3 players.. The team will lose it's 3rd round draft pick in the next free agent draft.
  • 4 players.. The team will lose it's 2nd round draft pick in the next free agent draft.
  • 5 players.. The team will lose it's 1st round draft pick in the next free agent draft.
  • more than 5 players.. will follow the above pattern for each additional player plus the 1st round penalty.
  • Any overused player who exceeds their limit by 5 games, plate appearances, starts or innings will become a free agent.
• The Commissioner reserves the right to remove a manager if the overuse is deemed exceptional and intentional.

 

MLB SEASON

• In the case of an abbreviated MLB season all limitation factors will be adjusted to reflect a 162 game season.

 

III- ROSTER

GENERAL

• Off season: Unlimited except the week prior to Free Agent Draft when teams reduce to 33 carded or not
• Regular season: Maximum roster size is 36 players including non carded
• ..Expansion team(s) will reduce to 40 players (carded or not)
• All teams must have players qualified to start 162 games at each position
• All teams must have at least 162 total pitching starts available, regardless of pitchers grade
•  
• ACTIVE ROSTER
• Maximum of 25 players may be carried on the active roster during the season except final 5 series when all may be active
• You must have qualified defensive starting players as noted in “Players & Limits”.
• Active rosters must have at least one qualified backup for: C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS and two OF
• Players who are eligible to play multiple positions are counted as the backup for any and all eligible positions.
• .. Substitutions: After qualified players, then any APBA rated player for that position will be used, then anyone on roster
• .. Read Section XII regarding DH use and substitution/elimination of DH
•  
• Active & inactive players may be exchanged without limitation at the beginning of each series.
• In each series, you must have the same active/inactive players for both the home and the away games vs one team.
• A series is the home and away games vs one team.

 

UNAFFILIATED PLAYERS

• Any carded player not on a roster, will be placed in the next free agent draft.

 

IV- TRADES

GENERAL RULES

• All trades shall be reported promptly, to the commissioner or other person designated to record such.
• The commissioner will rule on any disputed trade
• The commissioner may declare any trade void, in the best interest of the association.

 

RULES – OFF SEASON

• Trading will be allowed after completion of our playoffs thru Sept except designated dates prior to the free agent draft
• All trades up to the free agent draft may involve any amount of players and/or draft picks except as noted below.
• All trades after the free agent draft thru Sept may involve only players in any amount.
•  
• Trading of draft picks are restricted as follows:
• Only draft picks for rounds 1-6 may be traded and you must always retain at least four picks
• Only current year draft picks can be traded.
• In the week prior to the free agent draft (after cutdown to 30), draft picks cannot be traded.
• Draft picks cannot be traded after the free agent draft until the following April

 

RULES – IN SEASON

• The in-season trading period will be during the last 3 days of January.
• Trades made during this time must be for equal player amounts and restricted to all of the following:
• ...A maximum of three players per team in one trade.
• ...A maximum of five players traded for one team during this period.
• ...No more that three trades per team during this period and only one trade with same teams.
• ...Draft picks may not be traded during this week.

 

V- FREE AGENT DRAFT

ROSTER MAXIMUM LIMIT (30)

• Prior to the draft at a specified date, all teams will notify the commissioner of their cuts reducing their roster to 30 or less
• Expansion teams are exempt from the above, in their first year
• Teams reducing to less than the required limit will gain bonus draft picks equal to the excess reduction.
• After bonus picks are assigned, teams further reducing their roster via trades will NOT receive extra picks
• Bonus picks will begin with round seven.

 

FREE AGENTS

• All carded players, not on an TCWBA roster, are eligible to be drafted.

 

DRAFT ORDER

• Except as noted below, teams will in pick in the inverse order of the previous seasons winning percentage in each round.
• Expansion teams will draft after all teams losing 100 games in the previous season or fourth, whichever is lower.
• The first five draft picks of the FIRST round, will be determined by a weighted drawing involving the five teams with the lowest won loss percentage from the previous season.. SEE LOTTERY BELOW

 

LOTTERY

• Only the five teams with the lowest won-loss percentage will have the chance to draw the first overall selection.
• If any of the "lottery" picks are traded, the acquiring manager/team will take the place of the original team.
•  
• The commissioner will select a date for the lottery based on a designated state daily four digit number.
• The team with the lowest winning percentage will submit 5 four digit numbers to the commissioner. Example…(0000-9999).
• The team with with the second lowest will submit 4 four digit numbers.
• The team with the third lowest will submit 3 four digit numbers.
• The team with the fourth lowest will submit 2 four digit numbers.
• The team with the fifth lowest will submit 1 four digit number.
• The team closest to that number will receive the number one pick. Next closest receives pick two; etc.

 

TIEBREAKER

• Ties for draft pick seeding will be broken in the following manner & order:
• Record vs each other ..team with more losses/worse pct is awarded the better pick
• Best away pct vs all teams ..team with better pct is awarded the better pick
• Division standing ..team with lower position is awarded the better pick
• Coin flip ..winner receives the better pick in odd numbered rounds

 

LENGTH and TIME

• The draft will consist of six scheduled rounds, followed by bonus picks.
• The draft style will be held on-line or as designated by the commissioner in June of each year.
• Starting time will be designated when the date is announced

 

WAIVER PERIOD FREE AGENCY

• Following the final cutdown to 33 and prior to the regular season, a three day waiver period will exist.
• During that period any team may claim any player (carded or not), that was waived in the final cut to 33.
• Waiver draft order will be the same original drafting order used in the last free agent draft.
• A maximum of one claim is permitted per team in each round with three total rounds.
• For each claim awarded, an equal number of players must be cut from your roster.

 

VI- SERIES PLAY

INSTRUCTIONS

• Instructions for all games scheduled in a month will comply with the following:
• Make sure position players are eligible, per your posted roster, to play the position you have stated.
• They shall be delivered to the opposing manager, by the 7th day of each month
• They will include active roster, lineups, pitching rotation, relief pitchers, injury replacements and strategy.
• They will also contain the MLB team of each player, defensive rating, all pitchers grades plus if left handed.
• The instructions will print on one page.
•  
• If the visiting manager has a position player installed at a position he is not eligible to play per his roster:
• You can insert any eligible qualified active player into that position and play the games
• Please state in the results or email of same that you did that.

 

GAME PLAY & RESULTS

• The home manager shall play all games scheduled for a month & have results sent to the commissioner, by the 25th of the scheduled month.
• The commissioner will send away results to the involved managers after he receives both away results.
• After completing the series the home manger must:
• Compile stats for both teams
• Send a copy of the series stats and game scores with highlights to the visiting manager.
• Send a series stat report and game scores with highlights to the commissioner.
• After receiving results of the series the manager should check the recap/stats for errors and update his year to date statistics.

 

STATS

• An monthly & annual report of statistics will be sent to the commissioner unless he directs otherwise.
• The following statistics will be kept and reported in this order with each series.
• Batting (G-AB-R-HT-RBI-2B-3B-HR-BB-K-SB-CS-HBP-SF-SAC-GiDP-E)
• Pitching (W-L-G-GS-CG-ShO-Sv-IP-HT-R-ER-HR-BB-K)

 

PENALTIES

• If any manager fails to receive instructions/results he should inform the other manager of the missing item.
• After contacting the other manager and the matter is still not complied with, he will notify the commissioner.
• He may then receive permission to play the games, with any competitive lineup and pitching rotation of his choice.
• He will ignore any results or instructions received in violation of the above stated rules.
• ...
• Any manager falling more than one month behind, without extenuating circumstances, will be replaced.
• In lieu of replacement, the commissioner may assess whatever penalty he feels is appropriate.

 

VII- PROTESTS

METHOD

• If the visiting manager believes he has valid grounds for protesting, he should notify the commissioner and the opposing manager with a note explaining the reason for the protest.
• If the two managers cannot reach agreement on how to satisfy the protest, the commissioner will issue a ruling.
• If the protest is upheld, the home manager will then replay the game from the point of protest, issue revised stats and notify the commissioner of the replay result.

 

VIII- PLAYOFFS

TIME FRAME & PARTICIPANTS

• The Playoffs will begin after one day's rest (Day 163) following the regular season.
• The playoffs will include the first place team of each division and three best remaining W/L% teams as wildcard entries.
• All of the World Series games will be played on-line using a chatroom or Rolz.org

 

SEEDING

• Teams will be seeded based on WL%, in descending order.
• The three pennant winners will be 1, 2, 3 and the wildcard teams 4, 5, 6.

 

SCHEDULE

• The opening round is a best of five series... Seed 3v6 and 4v5... Seed 1 and 2 receive a bye.
• The second round is a best of seven series... Seed 1 plays the lowest seed remaining and Seed 2 plays the other team.
• The third and final round is a best of seven series for the Championship involving the two remaining teams.

 

HOME TEAM

• The team having the best WL% will be home for games 1 & 2 in all rounds.
• They will also be home for game 5 in Round one or games 6 & 7 in Round two or three.
• Anytime a pennant winner plays a wildcard team they will be home as described above.

 

PLAYOFF TIEBREAKER RULES

• TIES - ALL TEAMS QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS:
• Record vs each other (team with more wins is home or seeded higher)
• Away pct vs all teams (team with better pct is home or seeded higher)
• Coin flip (winner is home or seeded higher)
• ... If a tie exists determining which team receives a bye in round one, rules from (B) will apply...
•  
• TIES - ALL TEAMS DON'T QUALIFY FOR PLAYOFFS:
• One playoff game will be held the day after game 162. See above for home team
• .. the active roster will be the same as that used in the following rounds
• .. all players will have one extra game (or 1PA for players limited to PA) added to regular season limit
• .. all starting pitchers will have one extra start and 7 starting innings added to their season limit
• .. all relief pitchers will have one extra inning added to their season limit
• .. starting pitcher rest requirements will apply

 

REST

• There is a scheduled rest day after game 162.
• There is a scheduled rest day after game 2 of each round and after game 5 in Rounds 2 and 3.
• There is a scheduled rest day after Round 1 and after Round 2.
• Bonus rest days: any series ending prior to the maximum number of games will count as rest days equal to the unnecessary games
• Starting pitcher rest requirements will apply. Note that for Round 1, final regular season games must be considered when scheduling starting pitchers.

 

ACTIVE ROSTER

• Active roster is limited to 25 players. All others are inactive.
• You must have qualified defensive starting players as noted in section II- Players & Limits.
• Active & inactive players may be exchanged without limitation at the beginning of each round.
• Any player overused in regular season is not eligible for post season play.

 

INJURIES

• All injuries will be enforced as per our regular season rules.

 

POSITION PLAYERS - GAME LIMITS PER ROUND

• The maximum posted below will not exceed the regular season limit
• If regular season limit was
  • ..120-162 games = 7 (5 for Round 1)
  • ..100-119 games = 6 (4 for Round 1)
  • ...80 - 99 games = 5 (3 for Round 1)
  • ...60 - 79 games = 4 (2 for Round 1)
  • ...40 - 59 games = 3 (2 for Round 1)
  • ...20 - 39 games = 2 (1 for Round 1)
  • ....1 - 19 games = 1 (1 for Round 1)
  • PA 30 or more = 7pa (5pa for Round 1)
  • PA under 30 = 3 pinch hits (1ph for Round 1)

 

PITCHING & LIMITS PER ROUND

• The maximum posted below will not exceed the regular season limit
• Starting pitchers (those permitted to start per regular season rules):
• ... Limited to 5% of the regular season limit (complete innings & not rounded up) +5ip.. (In Round 1 +3ip)
• ... Any starter with regular season start limit of less than 5 will have a 0 (zero) start and innings limit
• ... Maximum of 11 innings per game.
•  
• Relief pitchers, (those permitted to relieve per regular season rules):
• ... Limited to 10% of the regular season limit (complete innings & not rounded up) -1ip.. (In Round 1 -2ip).
• ... Any pitcher with less than 5 regular season relief innings will have a 0 (zero) innings limit
•  
• No Qualified relief pitchers available:
• ... A starting pitcher is eligible to pitch in relief when ALL other relief options are exhausted.
• ... He must not have pitched prior to his relief use & will forfeit any future appearances in the series.
• ... He cannot exceed his IPL limit for that series 
• ... He will be reduced one grade
•  
•  

 

TCWBA MODIFICATIONS

• Unless specified in this section, all other TCWBA modifications and/or rules of the APBA Basic Game, will apply.

 

IX- APBA FORMAT

GAME BOARDS

• APBA Basic Game Boards (v2006) will be used.
• APBA Hit & Run Book (v2006) and the Sacrifice Book (v2006) will be used.
• Advanced APBA pitching and fielding rules will be used.
• The APBA "ZZ", "K", "R" ratings will be used.
• APBA's "Optional Scorer's Rule" (Error/Hit category) is optional
• The APBA MASTER GAME will NOT be used.
• The APBA BBW GAME will NOT be used excepting use by the Commissioner for game play of a team without a manager.
• APBA's "Optional Base Coaching" (Playing safe) will NOT be used.

 

• APBA OPTIONAL SCORERS RULE is optional
• ... This year is an E -1 which means ONLY WITH 1 OUT do you use the below
• ... For play results 15-23 and 38-41 when the result of the play is an error or base hit.
• ... If the play result is an error, change the result to a hit
• ... Do NOT use this Optional Scorers Rule if:
• ... ... There is a hit and error on the same play
• ... ... The error occurs on a stolen base attempt.
• ... ... The play result is foul ball OR hit by pitcher OR interference
• ... ... A sacrifice OR hit & run has been called

 

X- OFFICIAL APBA GAME PLAY CLARIFICATIONS

DOUBLE COLUMN CARD RESULTS

• In following situations the result is always changed to the indicated number, regardless of play result column.
• MAN ON 3rd - Card result = 6 .. "Double column cards score this same as "5-Double"
• MEN ON 1st &2nd - Card result = 2 .. "Double column cards score this as "5-Triple"
• BASES LOADED - Card Result = 6 .. "Double column cards score this as "4-Double"

 

APBA RESULTS and SCORING OF SAME

• BASES LOADED with less than 2 outs; Final result is 38 - "Infield fly batter out; PO6- SS loses ball in sun; runners advance."
• The batter gets an rbi and charged with an at bat but not a sac fly.
• The reason being neither 10.04 (b)(1 or 2) applies therefore rule 10.04 (a) does apply, which makes it an RBI. No sac fly because we are talking about a routine infield fly and after missing it the shortstop picks up this routine fly somewhere near his position. The man on 3rd isn't Usain Bolt meaning that was not a sacrifice fly.
•  
• DOUBLE PLAYS - In APBA land, it's impossible for a force doubleplay to occur with "Man on 2nd" or "Man on 3rd" or "Men on 2nd and 3rd" meaning no one can be charged with GiDP.
• Further if at anytime you see an OF involved in any doubleplay or the words "fly out", "pop out", "foul out", "line drive" the batter is never charged with a GiDP.
•  
• A separate fielding statistic, that we don't record, regarding doubleplays says a team gets fielding credit for any doubleplays it completes.
•  
• NOTE: A triple play is a separate statistic from a doubleplay and not included in doubleplay statistics.
•  
• When the term "picked off" is used, the runner is NOT charged with a caught stealing. It is simply a defensive play, resulting in an out.

XI- TCWBA ALTERATIONS

ALL of the following alterations will be used for all TCWBA games

 

 

"35" RULE

• To encourage platooning, use of part-time players & assist switch hitters, the following rule will be used:
• Whenever the play result number is "35" AND the hitter bats opposite of pitchers arm:
• .. he will be given a single and all base runners will SAFEFLY advance one base.
• .. the above includes when the hit & run or sacrifice book is in use.
• An ambidextrous pitcher facing a switch hitter per MLB rules, must designate which arm he will use against that batter and therefor the batter will be hitting from the opposite side.

 

BALL/STRIKE

• Any result of 14 (ball) is changed to 14 (two balls)
• Any result of 13 (strike) is changed to 13 (two strikes)
• NOTE: Per MLB rules, a foul ball is considered a strike unless the batter has two strikes.

 

ERROR CARD

• Will be always be used when the play result is 15 thru 21 EXCEPT when the result is "hit by pitcher".
• Reroll dice and use the following result:
•  
• 

 

FIELDING CHART

• PRN = 18, 19, 20 (BASES EMPTY)
• Reroll and use the follow result
• FIELDER EXCELLANCE CHART
• ..2B8 or SS9 or 3B5, roll 1 die … 1-3 out/ 4-6 error as per APBA
• ..2B9 or SS10 or 3B6, roll 1 die . 1-4 out/ 5-6 error as per APBA
•  
• PRN = 21 (ANY BASE SITUATION except: HBP)
• use firstbaseman defensive rating to determine fielding column:
• ..1B4/5= column 1
• ..1B3 = column 2
• ..1B2 = column 3

 

HIT & RUN

• Whenever a hit & run is called for, the APBA hit & run booklet will be used.
• Batter is limited to hit & run attempts equaling the 31's on his card

 

INJURIES

• No injury will be for more than the occurring game

 

PITCHING

• Starting pitchers must complete 5 full innings or allow 3 runs (earned or not) before removal unless ejected/injured.
• No pitcher may exceed 11 innings in one game.
• See VI- Pitching for use of position players as pitchers & other rules.

 

PITCHING UPGRADE/DOWNGRADE

• The current APBA upgrade/downgrade rules will be used.
• In addition to those APBA rules, the following will apply:
• .. APBA temporary upgrades will also be applied when beginning an inning.
• .. Any reliever allowing 3 earned runs in an inning, loses a grade (AC/AB/A would go to B)
• .. Any reliever allowing 5 earned runs overall loses a grade (AC/AB/A would go to B)
•  
• DOWNGRADE OF RELIEF PITCHER (limit less than 85 innings or less than 2 starts):
• .. Grade A or better reliever is reduced to B after 2 complete innings & to grade D after 3 complete innings
• .. Grade B reliever is reduced to C after 2 complete innings & to grade D after 3 complete innings
• .. Grade C reliever is reduced to D after 2 complete innings
•  
• See section VII-BATTING for pitchers hitting, pinch hitting and pinch running

 

RAIN OUTS

• There will be no rainouts. All will be recorded as a rain delay and continued.
• Any pitcher continuing after the delay will be reduced one grade.

 

SLOW RUNNER CHART

• PRN = 7 thru 11 , the below chart will be used when the runner is slow and the hit&run is not in use
• The runner will SAFELY advance the following number of bases:
• APBA "play safe" is not to be used for any result or base situation.

 

UNUSUAL PLAY CARD

• PRN = 23 or 36-41 (ANY BASE SITUATION-EXCEPT BASES EMPTY), Reroll dice and use the following result:

 

XII- MLB RULEBOOK

5.11 - DESIGNATED HITTER

• (1) A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game.
• (5) The Designated Hitter may be used on defense, continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution is made
• (8) Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a position on defense, such move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for that club for the remainder of the game.
• (12) Once a Designated Hitter assumes a position on defense, such move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for that club for the remainder of the game.
• (13) A substitute for the Designated Hitter need not be announced until it is the Designated Hitter’s turn to bat
• (14) If a player on defense goes to the mound (i.e. moves from position on field and replaces the pitcher), this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter’s role for that club for the remainder of the game.

9.4 - RBI

• ...RBI is a statistic credited to the batter whose action causes one or more runs to score as set forth in this section.
• (a)The official scorer shall credit the batter with a run batted in for every run that scores:
  • (1)unaided by an error and as part of a play begun by the batter's safe hit (including homerun), sac bunt, sac fly, infield out or
  • fielder's choice unless rule 10.04(b) applies.
  • (2)by reason of the batter becoming a runner with the bases full because of a base on balls, hit by pitcher, interference
  • or obstruction; or
  • (3)when before two are out, an error is made on a play on which a runner from third base ordinarily would score.
• (b)The official scorer shall NOT credit a run batted in:
  • (1) when the batter grounds into a force double play or reverse force double play; or
  • (2)when a fielder is charged with an error because the fielder muffs a throw at first base that would have completed
  • a force double play

 

9.7 - STOLEN BASE/ CAUGHT STEALING

• (h) The official scorer will charge a runner as "caught stealing" if such runner is put out or would have been put out by errorless play when such runner:
  • (1) tries to steal;
  • (2) is picked off AND tries to advance; or
  • (3) overslides while stealing
• NOTE: A runner "picked off" is NOT charged with caught stealing. It is simply a defensive play resulting in an out.

 

9.16 - EARNED RUNS AND RUNS ALLOWED

• .. An earned run is a run for which the pitcher is held accoutable.
• In determining earned runs, the official scorer shall reconstruct the inning without the errors (including catcher's interference) and
• passed balls, giving the benefit of the doubt always to the pitcher, in determining which bases would have been reached by runners had
• there been errorless play.
• In determining earned runs an intentional base on balls, regardless of circumstances, shall be construed in exactly the same
• shall be construed in exactly the same manner as any other base on balls.
•  
• (a) The official scorer shall charge an earned run against a pitcher every time a runner reaches home by aid of safe hit, sacrifice bunt, sacrifice fly, stolen base, putout, fielder's choice, base on balls, hit batters, wild pitch (including a wild pitch on a third strike that permits a batter to reach first base) BEFORE fielding chances have been offered to put out the offensive team. For purposes of this interference penalty shall be construed as a fielding chance. A wild pitch is solely the pitchers fault and shall contribute to an earned rule, a defensive run just as a base on balls or a balk.
• (b) No run shall be earned when scored by a runner who reaches first base;
  • (1) on a hit or otherwise after his time at bat is prolonged by a muffed foul fly;
  • (2) because of interference or obstruction; or
  • (3) because of any fielding error.
• (c) No run shall be earned when scored by a runner whose presence on the bases is prolonged by an error, if such runner would have been put out by errorless play.
• (d) No run shall be earned when the scoring runner's advance has been aided by an error, a passed ball or defensive interference or obstruction, IF in the official scorer's judgment the run would not have scored with the aid of such misplay.
• (e) An error by the pitcher is treated exactly the same as an error by any other fielder in computing earned runs.
• (f) Whenever a fielding error occurs, the pitcher shall be given the benefit of the doubt in determining to which bases any runners would have advanced had the fielding of the defensive team been errorless.
• (g) When pitchers are changed during an inning, the official scorer shall not charge the relief pitcher with any runs (earned or unearned) scored by a runner who was on base at the time such relief pitcher entered the game, nor for runs scored by any runner who reaches base on a fielder's choice that puts out a runner left on base by any preceding pitcher.
• (h) A relief pitcher shall not be held accountable when the first batter to whom he pitches reaches first base on four called balls if such batter has the following counts when pitchers are changed. It will be charged to the preceding pitcher. Any other result except four balls will be charged to the relief pitcher..2 balls, 0 or 1 strike(s)..3 balls, 0 or 1 or 2 strike(s)
• (i) When pitchers have changed during an inning, the relief pitcher shall NOT have the benefit of previous chances for outs not accepted in determining earned runs.

 

9.19 - SAVES FOR RELIEF PITCHERS

• The official scorer shall credit a pitcher with a save when such pitcher meets ALL 4 of the following conditions;
• (a) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team;
• (b) He is not the winning pitcher;
• (c) He is credit with at least 1/3 of an inning pitched
• (d) He satisfies ONE of the following conditions:
  • enters the game with a lead of no more than 3 runs pitches for at least one complete inning (3 outs);
  • enters the game, regardless of count, with the potential tying run either on base or at bat or on deck;
  • he pitches effectively for at least 3 (complete) innings and maintains the lead.