Rules Question

Lets say Pitcher A has been struggling with his command for a few innings. He gets the count to 3-1 on a batter. The coach makes a change right then. Pitcher B comes in and throws a ball to walk the guy on the first pitch. Who is credited with the walk? I know it's not Braves related, but it happened in one of my games recently and I figured here would be the best place to find the answer.

8 months ago scottyboy10 5 comments 0 recs |

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The applicable rule here is rule 10.16(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 a decided advantage
in the ball and strike count when pitchers are changed

Note that this rule does not affect rule 10.16(g), which determines which pitcher gets charge with scored runs.

by gloryglory on Sep 27, 2011 12:39 AM EDT reply actions

So, if I'm reading that right

Pitcher A gets charged the walk?

by scottyboy10 on Sep 27, 2011 7:38 AM EDT up reply actions

Im pretty sure that's right

Ive seen it happen, except it was a strikeout and not a walk, and the first pitcher got the credit (I think).

"He knows where he's throwing. If he didn't, there'd be dead bodies strewn all over Idaho." - Washington Senators scout on Walter Johnson

by Doghnut on Sep 27, 2011 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Speaking in general practice, strikeouts are credited to the relief pitcher; the prior pitcher gets stuck when walks happen.

Now that said, the rule gives clearly some leeway to the scorekeeper, and I cannot recall a case in which an injury occurred with the count 1-2 or 0-2 and then a relief guy walked the batter. If I were scoring it, the phrase “decided advantage” would mean just that: a count of 1-2 or 0-2. If a walk happened with those starting counts, I’d stick the new guy with it… but only under those scenarios.

"Forget Roy Halladay or Clayton Kershaw or Cliff Lee, the NL Cy Young Award should go to O’Ventrel." - David Schoenfield, ESPN.com, 8/19/11

by carpengui on Sep 27, 2011 12:45 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you have it backwards.

The rule says the new pitcher is charged with the walk unless the batter had a decided advantage, which I would think means 3-0, 3-1, or 2-0. If it is 1-1, I think the new pitcher gets it.

by cavebird on Sep 27, 2011 5:01 PM EDT up reply actions