when are runs earned or unearned? i get the errors thing, but sometimes it seems to be more complicated. help?

Answer 1

It's kind of easy to figure out once you understand it. I still have to look back through an inning to figure it out.

If a runner reaches base because of an error than if that runner eventually scores, it is considered an unearned run.

Also, you have to imagine that that runner is out. Therefore, if there were two outs when the error happened, then any runs scored after that play would be unearned because you assume that the fielder would have fielded the ball cleanly and got the out.. No matter what.

If there are less than two outs, then at the end of the inning you look back and figure what would have happened if the runner had been out.

There are also errors that just allow a runner an extra base (like a throwing error on a play at the plate and the runner who hit the ball advances to second or third base because of the error).

In this case, you have to figure that the runner would still have been at the original base and then go through the inning and see if he would have scored.

It's a complicated thing, but if you understand it and have a scorebook in front of you, it's pretty easy to figure it out at the end of the inning.

Answer 2

Everyone else is making it a lot more difficult than it needs to be.

An unearned run means that by whatever means the runner was put on base (error by someone, swinging strike three/ball got away) and scores (can also be by error), without the pitcher actually having walked or base hit awarded.

Also, if a pitcher comes in to a game and there are runners already on and he allows them to score, he isn't charged with them because they weren't "earned" and weren't on base by his doing.

Answer 3

If a runner reaches base because of an error than if that runner eventually scores, it is considered an unearned run

Answer 4

If a person hits a sac fly or ground out ,walked in a run that is an UR.

A HR or a hit to score someone thatis a ER.

Also in the UR , if someone scores on an error that is a UR.

UR= unearned

ER= earned run

Answer 5

If they get it from being walked or if a batter hits a home run and they are on base, those are unearned.

Answer 6

also just adding to the last post if there is a runner on first and someone makes an error on a ground ball, you cant assume that there would have been a double play, you can only assume that you would have gotten the lead runner out

Answer 7

I don't think it really matters unless you're counting ERA.

Answer 8

EARNED RUNS
10.18
An earned run is a run for which the pitcher is held accountable. In determining earned runs, the inning should be reconstructed without the errors (which include catcher’s interference) and passed balls, and the benefit of the doubt should always be given to the pitcher in determining which bases would have been reached by errorless play. For the purpose of determining earned runs, an intentional base on balls, regardless of the circumstances, shall be construed in exactly the same manner as any other base on balls.
(a) An earned run shall be charged every time a runner reaches home base by the aid of safe hits, sacrifice bunts, a sacrifice fly, stolen bases, putouts, fielder’s choices, bases on balls, hit batters, balks or wild pitches (including a wild pitch on third strike which permits a batter to reach first base) before fielding chances have been offered to put out the offensive team. For the purpose of this rule, a defensive interference penalty shall be construed as a fielding chance.
(1) A wild pitch is solely the pitcher’s fault, and contributes to an earned 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 life is prolonged by an error, if such runner would have been put out by errorless play.
(d) No run shall be earned when the runner’s advance is aided by an error, a passed ball, or defensive interference or obstruction, if the scorer judges that the run would not have scored without the aid of such misplay.
(e) An error by a 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 relief pitcher shall not be charged with any run (earned or unearned) scored by a runner who was on base at the time he entered the game, nor for runs scored by any runner who reaches base on a fielder’s choice which puts out a runner left on base by the preceding pitcher.
NOTE: It is the intent of this rule to charge each pitcher with the number of runners he put on base, rather than with the individual runners. When a pitcher puts runners on base, and is relieved, he shall be charged with all runs subsequently scored up to and including the number of runners he left on base when he left the game, unless such runners are put out without action by the batter, i.e., caught stealing, picked off base, or called out for interference when a batter-runner does not reach first base on the play. EXCEPTION: see example 7.
EXAMPLES: (1) P1 walks A and is relieved by P2. B grounds out, sending A to second. C flies out. D singles, scoring A. Charge run to P1.
(2) P1 walks A and is relieved by P2. B forces A at second. C grounds out, sending B to second. D singles, scoring B. Charge run to P1.
(3) P1 walks A and is relieved by P2. B singles, sending A to third. C grounds to short, and A is out at home, B going to second. D flies out. E singles, scoring B. Charge run to P1.
(4) P1 walks A and is relieved by P2. B walks. C flies out. A is picked off second. D doubles, scoring B from first. Charge run to P2.
(5) P1 walks A and is relieved by P2. P2 walks B and is relieved by P3. C forces A at third. D forces B at third. E hits home run, scoring three runs. Charge one run to P1; one run to P2, one run to P3.
(6) P1 walks A, and is relieved by P2, P2 walks B. C singles, filling the bases. D forces A at home. E singles, scoring B and C. Charge one run to P1 and one run to P2.
(7) P1 walks A, and is relieved by P2. P2 allows B to single, but A is out trying for third. B takes second on the throw. C singles, scoring B. Charge run to P2.
(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.
(1) If, when pitchers are changed, the count is
2 balls, no strike,
2 balls, 1 strike,
3 balls, no strike,
3 balls, 1 strike,
3 balls, 2 strikes,
and the batter gets a base on balls, charge that batter and the base on balls to the preceding pitcher, not to the relief pitcher.
(2) Any other action by such batter, such as reaching base on a hit, an error, a fielder’s choice, a force-out, or being touched by a pitched ball, shall cause such a batter to be charged to the relief pitcher.
NOTE: The provisions of 10.18(h)(2) shall not be construed as affecting or conflicting with the provisions of 10.18(g).
(3) If, when pitchers are changed, the count is
2 balls, 2 strikes,
1 ball, 2 strikes,
1 ball, 1 strike,
1 ball, no strike,
no ball, 2 strikes,
no ball, 1 strike,
charge that batter and his actions to the relief pitcher.
(i) When pitchers are changed during an inning, the relief pitcher shall not have the benefit of previous chances for outs not accepted in determining earned runs.
NOTE: It is the intent of this rule to charge relief pitchers with earned runs for which they are solely responsible. In some instances, runs charged as earned against the relief pitcher can be charged as unearned against the team.
EXAMPLES: (1) With two out, P1 walks A. B reaches base on an error. P2 relieves P1. C hits home run, scoring three runs. Charge two unearned runs to P1, one earned run to P2.
(2) With two out, P1 walks A and B and is relieved by P2. C reaches base on an error. D hits home run, scoring four runs. Charge two unearned runs to P1, two unearned runs to P2.
(3) With none out, P1 walks A. B reaches base on an error. P2 relieves P1. C hits home run, scoring three runs. D and E strike out. F reaches base on an error. G hits home run, scoring two runs. Charge two runs, one earned, to P1. Charge three runs, one earned, to P2.