Baseball Scoring Question Help...

Okay, even with the world wide web, I can't seem to find the correct answer to scoring an appeal play. Now before going on I think there are no assists given and the out is credited to the fielder who touches the appealed base.

Here's what happened. Batter hits a double to right. The right fielder throws the ball in to the shortstop and the shortstop tosses the ball to the first baseman for the appeal and the batter is ruled out. Then the argument begins about how to score the play. Just a discussion between friends, I was just keeping score at a local college game.

As I said before, I think it should be a putout for the first baseman. One of my buddies saw the official scorer and she said she scored it 9-6-3. Giving two assists, which I think is wrong.

Any thoughts? What I need is some rock-solid proof I can print up and take to the game today and show my buddies I was right, which I think I am.

The closest I came to finding an answer was the "Official Baseball Statistics Rules" that follow.

SECTION 13—PUTOUT
A putout is credited to a fielder who catches a batted ball in
flight, tags out a runner or puts out a runner by holding the ball
while touching a base to which a runner is forced to advance
or return. When a batter strikes out, a putout is credited to the
catcher, unless the catcher fails to field the pitch cleanly and
must put the batter-runner out at first base.
Exceptions—
(1) When a batter is called out for an illegally batted ball, for a
foul third-strike bunt, for being hit by his own batted ball,
for interference with the catcher or for failing to bat in his
proper turn, the putout shall be credited to the catcher.

(2) When a batter is declared out on an infield fly that is not
caught, the putout is credited to the fielder who is nearest
the ball at the time.

(3) When a base runner is out because of being hit by a fairly
batted ball, the putout shall be credited to the fielder nearest
the ball at the time.

(4) When a runner is called out for running out of the base line
to avoid being tagged, the putout shall be credited to the
fielder whom the runner avoided.

(5) When a runner is called out for passing another runner, the
putout shall be credited to the fielder nearest the point of
passing.

(6) When a runner is called out for running the bases in reverse
order, the putout shall be credited to the fielder covering the
base he left in starting his reverse run.

(7) When a runner is called out for interfering with a fielder, the
putout shall be credited to the fielder with whom the runner
interfered, unless the fielder was in the act of throwing the
ball when the interference occurred. In that case, the putout
shall be credited to the fielder for whom the throw was intended;
the fielder whose throw was interfered with shall be
credited with an assist.

(8) When a batter-runner is called out because of interference
by a preceding runner, the putout shall be credited to the
first baseman. If the fielder interfered with, was in the act of
throwing the ball, he shall be credited with an assist. In no
case can he be credited with more than one assist on any
one play.

 

No assists because there was no play.

It is a forceout, 3u (unassisted) because he never legally touched first base.

 

Well I think that too, and know it is right but try to explain that to my ignorant friends, and even worse the clueless Media Relations/Official Scorer.

 

And no credit for a hit either.

 

Exactly. If he misses second base on a triple, it becomes a single. But he never touched first base, so it's no hit.

 

The MLB official rules seem to indicate your friend is right.

See Rule 10.10(a)(1) comment (linked below):

If a putout results from an appeal play within the natural course of play, the official scorer shall give assists to each fielder, except the fielder making the putout, whose action led to the putout. If a putout results from an appeal play initiated by the pitcher throwing to a fielder after the previous play has ended, the official scorer shall credit the pitcher, and only the pitcher, with an assist.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/official_scorer_10.jsp

 

Yes they do, chalk one up for Budweiser Joe.

I looked under assists and couldn't find that example in the college scoring rules I was checking. Wow, the official scorer got one right, for a change.