Error Or Not?

Palmer · #1 (**permalink**) Tue Nov 09, 2004, 01:18pm

I know this isn't a score keepers site, but after attempting to settle several parents concerns about daughters stats and how they are kept, I figured I better ask the XXXXXX-perts, for their opinions. Yes, that is you guys.....

Playing recently (14U ASA Fastpitch) we had a pop fly to the outfield that the outfielder misjudged, didn't try hard or whatever, but didn't touch the ball and let it hit the ground. This was scored as a misjudgement and given a base hit.....Next inning comes up, and there is a routine pop fly to the infield behind short stop, the short stop takes 2-3 steps backwards trips and stumbles to the ground and the ball falls next to her.
Still within the infield. This was then also scored as a misjugdement and given as a base hit. Later, score keeper is approached that that was misplayed, not misjudged. Is there a difference, I guess is my question ?? Should these both be hits ??? Or errors involved????

If you guys could help I would be most appreciative.

(P.S. its amazing how close each parent is paying attention to not only their own daughters stats, but it would appear they pay more attention to everyone elses.)

Thanking you guys in advance.

Palmer

mcrowder · #2 (**permalink**) Tue Nov 09, 2004, 02:48pm

You'll find that most scorekeepers would consider both of these situations hits, not errors. MOST of the time, a scorekeeper won't call it an error unless the fielder touches the ball.

3afan · #3 (**permalink**) Tue Nov 09, 2004, 02:54pm

if i'm scoring - if i feel the fielder should have made the play, regardless if the ball is touched or not, then its an error.

why would a batted ball "scored as a misjudgement" (i've never heard that specific term ...) be a hit? if it was judged properly it would have been caught - so thats an error.

jstark23 · #4 (**permalink**) Tue Nov 09, 2004, 03:16pm

I've been an official scorer for a high school college and minor league baseball team, so I have a bit of perspective on this... if the play should be made and isn't E, kinda like the play at shortstop where the ball goes right through the wickets that's an error I don't care if the ball touched the glove or not the play should be made

whiskers_ump · #5 (**permalink**) Tue Nov 09, 2004, 04:26pm

From official scorer to an umpire...And your'sen a good one.
Did not know that you also did score keeping, did know you were a
reporter.

However, I agree, if the play could be, should be, but was not made,
then error.

jstark23 · #6 (**permalink**) Tue Nov 09, 2004, 04:31pm

ahhh yes the very strange life that I've led... by the way thanks for the compliment I try hard at least... you're pretty good in your own right

SC Ump · #7 (**permalink**) Tue Nov 09, 2004, 09:28pm

Quote:

Originally posted by Palmer
Playing recently (14U ASA Fastpitch) ...

My understanding is that if the player was not able to make the play, because they physically flubbed up, then it is an error. However, if they did not make the play because they chose to play lackadaisically, or because there were extenuating circumstances, then it is not an error.

In your first play, if the fielder was just goofing off or didn't "read" the ball right, I believe it is a hit. In your second play, I think it could go either way depending on how routine the pop-up was... remembering the skill level of the league.

I think the most important thing in keeping stats, is that all the scorekeepers in your league call similarly. The stats are only for measuring against other players in that league, so consistency is needed.