Rule 12 - Scoring

Sec. 1 THE OFFICIAL SCORER

a. Shall keep records of each game as outlined in the following rules.
b. Shall have the sole authority to make all decisions involving judgement.

1) For example, it is the scorer’s responsibility to determine whether a batter’s advance to first base is the result of a hit or an error.

2) A scorer shall not make a decision which conflicts with the Official Playing Rules or with an umpire’s decision.

Sec. 2 THE BOX SCORE

a. Each player’s name and the position, or positions to be played, shall be listed in the order in which he batted, or would have batted, unless the player is legally substituted, ejected, or removed from the game, or the game ends before his turn at bat.

NOTE (Blood Ruling): Any statistics accrued by the replacement player at bat or in the field while he is in the game are credited to that player, even if he is a listed substitute who does not eventually enter the game as a substitute for another player.

1) The Extra Player (EP) is optional, but if one is used, it must be made known prior to the start of the game and be listed on the line-up card in the regular batting order.

2) Eleven names (twelve for Co-Ed) will be on the official batting order and all will bat.

3) If an EP is used it must be used the entire game. Failure to complete the game with an EP results in forfeiture of the game.

EXCEPTION (Co-Ed Only): The game is not forfeited but an out must be taken when two players of the same sex bat back to back.

b. Each player’s batting and fielding record must be tabulated.

1) The first column shall show the number of times at bat by each player but a time at bat shall not be charged against a player when he:

(a) Hits a sacrifice fly that scores a runner.

(b) Is awarded a base on balls.

(c) Is awarded first base because of obstruction.

2) The second column shall show the number of runs by each player.

3) The third column shall show the number of base hits made by each player. A base hit is a batted ball that permits the batter to reach the base safely.

(a) When a batter-runner reaches first base or any succeeding base safely on a fair ball that settles on the ground, clears the fence, or strikes the fence before being touched by a fielder.

(b) When a batter-runner reaches first base safely on a fair ball which is hit with such force, or such slowness, or which takes an unnatural bounce, making it impossible to field with ordinary effort in time to retire the batter-runner.

(c) When a fair ball, which has not been touched by a fielder, becomes “dead” because of touching the person or clothing of a runner or umpire.

(d) When the fielder unsuccessfully attempts to retire a preceding runner and, in the scorer’s judgement, the batter-runner would not have been retired at first base by perfect fielding.

(e) When the batter ends the game with a base hit that drives in a sufficient number of runs to give his team the lead, the batter shall be credited with only as many bases as were advanced by the runner scoring the winning run, provided the batter runs a similar number of bases.

EXCEPTION: When the batter ends the game with an out-of-the-park home run, he shall be credited with a home run and all runners, including himself, shall be allowed to score.

4) The fourth column shall show the number of opponents put out by each player.

(a) A putout is credited to a fielder each time he:

i) Catches a fly ball or line drive.
ii) Catches a thrown ball that retires a batter or runner.
iii) Touches a runner with the ball when the runner is off the base to which he is entitled.
iv) Is nearest the ball when a runner is declared out for being struck by a fair ball, or interfering with the fielder.
v) Is nearest the unreported substitute, who is declared out in accordance with Rule 4, Sec. 7h OFFENCE (1b).
vi) Is nearest a runner who is called out for running out of the baseline.

(b) A putout is credited to the catcher:

i) When a third strike is called.
ii) When the batter bunts or chops the ball downwards.
iii) When the batter fails to bat in correct order.
iv) When the batter interferes with the catcher.
v) When the batter hits a third strike foul.
vi) When the batter is called out for batting illegally.
vii) When the batter is declared out for using an illegal or altered bat.
viii) When the batter is called out for changing batter’s box.
ix) (Co-Ed only) When an automatic out is declared for two players of the same sex batting back to back.

5) The fifth column shall show the number of assists made by each player. An assist shall be credited:

(a) To each player who handles the ball in any series of plays which results in the putout of the runner.

i) Only one assist and no more shall be given to any player who handles the ball in any putout.
ii) A player, who has aided in a rundown or other play of the kind, may be credited with both an assist and a putout.

(b) To each player who handles or throws the ball in such a manner that a putout would have resulted, except for an error of a team-mate.

(c) To each player who, by deflecting a batted ball, aids in a putout.

(d) To each player who handles the ball in a play which results in a runner being called out for interference or for running out of base line.

6) The sixth column shall show the number of errors made by each player. Errors are recorded in the following situations:

(a) For each player who commits a misplay which prolongs the turn at bat of the batter or life of the present runner.

(b) For the fielder, who fails to touch the base after receiving the ball to retire the runner on a force-out or when a runner is compelled to return to base.

(c) For the catcher, if a batter is awarded first base for obstruction.

(d) For the fielder, who fails to complete a double play because of dropping the ball.

(e) For the fielder, if a runner advances a base, because of his failure to stop or try to stop a ball accurately thrown to a base, providing there was occasion for the throw. When more than one player could receive the throw, the scorer must determine which player gets the error.

Sec. 3 BASE HITS SHALL NOT BE RECORDED

A base hit shall not be scored in the following cases:

a. When a runner is forced out by a batted ball or would have been forced out, except for a fielding error.

b. When a player fielding a batted ball retires a preceding runner with ordinary effort.

c. When a fielder fails in an attempt to retire a preceding runner and, in the scorer’s judgement, the batter-runner could have been retired at first base.

d. When a batter-runner reaches first base safely, as a result of a preceding runner being called out for interfering with a batted ball, or a defensive player.

EXCEPTION: If, in the judgement of the scorer, the batter would have reached first base safely had the interference not occurred, a safe hit shall be credited to the batter.

Sec. 4 SACRIFICE FLY BALLS

A sacrifice fly is scored when, with less than two outs:

a. The batter scores a runner with a fly ball which is caught; or

b. The ball or the line drive handled by an outfielder (or an infielder running in the outfield) is dropped and a runner scores and, in the scorer’s judgement, the runner could have scored after the catch, had the fly ball been caught.

Sec. 5 RUNS BATTED IN

A run batted in is a run scored because of one of the following reasons:

a. A safe hit.

b. A sacrifice fly.

c. A foul fly caught.

d. An infield put-out or fielder’s choice.

e. A runner forced home because of obstruction or the batter being given a base on balls.

f. A home run and all runs scored as a result.

Sec. 6 PITCHER CREDITED WITH A WIN

A pitcher shall be credited with a win in the following situations:

a. When he is the starting pitcher, and has pitched at least four innings, and his team was not only in the lead when he is replaced but remains in the lead for the remainder of the game.

b. When a game is ended after five innings of play, and the starting pitcher has pitched at least three innings, and his team scores more runs than the other team when the game is terminated.

Sec. 7 PITCHER CHARGED WITH A LOSS

A pitcher shall be charged with a loss, regardless of the number of innings he has pitched, if he is replaced when his team is behind in the score and his team thereafter fails to tie the score or gain the lead.

Sec. 8 GAME SUMMARY

The summary shall list the following items in this order:

a. The score by innings and the final score.
b. The runs batted-in and by whom hit.
c. Two-base hits and by whom hit.
d. Three-base hits and by whom hit.
e. Home runs and by whom hit.
f. Sacrifice flies and by whom hit.
g. Double plays and players participating in them.
h. Triple plays and players participating in them.
i. Number of walks given by each pitcher.
j. Number of batters struck out by each pitcher.
k. Number of hits and runs allowed by each pitcher.
l. The name of the winning pitcher.
m. The name of the losing pitcher.
n. The time of the game.
o. The names of the umpires and scorer.

Sec. 9 RECORDS OF FORFEITED GAMES
All records of a forfeited game shall be included in the official records, except that of a pitcher’s won-lost record.