Trivia time, baseball

10.09 Putouts
A putout is a statistic credited to a fielder whose action causes the out of a batter-runner or runner, as set forth in this Rule 10.09.
(a) The official scorer shall credit a putout to each fielder who
(1) catches a ball that is in flight, whether fair or foul;
(2) catches a batted or thrown ball and tags a base to put out a batter or runner; or
Rule 10.09(a)(2) Comment: The official scorer shall credit a fielder with a putout if such fielder catches a thrown ball and tags a base to record an out on an appeal play.
(3) tags a runner when the runner is off the base to which the runner is entitled.
(b) The official scorer shall credit an automatic putout to the catcher when a:
(1) batter is called out on strikes;
(2) batter is called out for an illegally batted ball;
(3) batter is called out for bunting foul for his third strike;
Rule 10.09(b)(3) Comment: Note the exception in Rule 10.15(a)(4).
(4) batter is called out for being touched by his own batted ball;
(5) batter is called out for interfering with the catcher;
(6) batter is called out for failing to bat in his proper turn;
Rule 10.09(b)(6) Comment: See Rule 10.03(d).
(7) batter is called out for refusing to touch first base after receiving a base on balls, after being hit by a pitch or after a catcher’s interference ; or
(8 ) runner is called out for refusing to advance from third base to home plate.
(c) The official scorer shall credit automatic putouts as follows (and shall credit no assists on these plays except as specified):
(1) When the batter is called out on an Infield Fly that is not caught, the official scorer shall credit the putout to the fielder who the scorer believes could have made the catch;
(2) When a runner is called out for being touched by a fair ball (including an Infield Fly), the official scorer shall credit the putout to the fielder nearest the ball;
(3) When a runner is called out for running out of line to avoid being tagged, the official scorer shall credit the putout to the fielder whom the runner avoided;
(4) When a runner is called out for passing another runner, the official scorer shall credit the putout to the fielder nearest the point of passing;
(5) When a runner is called out for running the bases in reverse order, the official scorer shall credit the putout to the fielder covering the base the runner left in starting his reverse run;
(6) When a runner is called out for having interfered with a fielder, the official scorer shall credit the putout to the fielder with whom the runner interfered, unless the fielder was in the act of throwing the ball when the interference occurred, in which case the official scorer shall credit the putout to the fielder for whom the throw was intended and shall credit an assist to the fielder whose throw was interfered with; or
(7) When the batter-runner is called out because of interference by a preceding runner, as provided in Rule 6.05(m), the official scorer shall credit the putout to the first baseman. If the fielder interfered with was in the act of throwing the ball, the official scorer shall credit such fielder with an assist but shall credit only one assist on any one play under the provisions of Rule 10.09(c)(6) and 10.09(c)(7).

 

OK, how do you credit running out of the baseline with a fielder? I know there must be a way, but are you turning in your own personal card to MLB or Bill James after the game?

This question was ment to make you think about the rules of baseball and how quirky the game can be. Not how anal you can be.

You guys have not even gotten the first out yet.

 

I still say it can't happen, but to play along with the hypothetical, here's what I can come up with:

With the bases loaded and no one out, the runner on first takes off, while the other two runners inexplicably miss the sign and stay put.

Batter is K'd and runner from first passes runner at second and runner at third, making them the second and third outs on BV (basepath violation).

You'd mark your card K- BV - BV - TP. No numbers -- although technically someone does have to be credited with those putouts and the pitcher is credited with the K.

 

OK, no defensive player touched the ball.

You must write sports for the IRS.

 

Not that way, but good start.

I will give up that the ball was batted.

 

Your way must involve a batted ball hitting a runner and some other nonsense, but mine works, so I'm sticking with it.

 

ha, but the urban legend is that it this way actually happened close to the turn of the century in the minor leagues and once in the 80s during a minor league game.

 

Infield fly rule. Batter is out without a play being made. Baserunner No. 1 passes baserunner No. 2 and is called out. Baserunner No. 2 makes contact with the ball and is called for interference. Does that work or am I missing something?

 

The rules of baseball, asshole, say ever putout has to be credited to a fielder.

Rule 10.09 covers running out baseline, passing a runner, runner interference and about 7 million other posibilities. Not being anal, being factual.

And the only reason I'm keeping a scorecard is I'm covering the game and that scorecard reflects the OFFICIAL SCORER'S decision, based on the official scoring rules.

Of course, if you're scoring a home ...












You need a fucking life

 

nice

The story goes there were runners on first and second and a double steal was on. The batter swung away and popped up and infield fly (out one) The runner on second had the benefit of seeing the third base coach waving him back to second, but the runner from first did not see the coach and passed the runner coming back (out two). The legal runner still had no idea where the ball was and it landed on him (third out).

I have seen a perfect game in person (Wells). I have seen a pitcher hit a grand slam (Juden). I have seen the cycle in the first four at bats by a hitter (Jeffries). I don't know if I will ever seen that play. It would be better than the last two though.

 

I thought the scorecard helped you keep track of the game while you watched it, and it helped you write your story as the game was being played or later back at the office if it was high school.

Next time you are at a game, look at everyones card who is keeping one and you will that no two people do it the same way. If it is so "official," then why is everyones personalized in their own way?

Baseball rules are flexible. Just look at a strike zone or how far the outfield fence is or its shape.

 

I knew that was coming.

But I have to side with spnited here:

If it's a pro, minor or college game, someone is the official scorer, and your book best reflect theirs at the end.

If it's HS or Legion, home book is official, although at my hometown park, we would come to a consensus in the box and that went on the board, which, in turn, went into the home book, and became official.

In the end, there is an "official" book at just about any game that you'll be writing about.