Scoring question - Earned runs
 

I was always under the impression that if a runner scored due to an error, then it was an unearned run. However, I had a debate with another parent during a game the other day as to whether or not the run could become an earned run later.

Here is what happened:
There was one out, and no one on base. The batter hit a ball to center field for a single. The fielder misplayed the ball, and the runner circled the bases to score. This is an unearned run, since the batter would not have scored without the error by the centerfielder.

The next batter hit a home run that cleared the fence. The parent next to me said that now the previous run is earned, since the runner would have scored on the home run. I--and the home plate umpire whom we made the inquiry to--said that once the run is unearned, it's unearned.

Any answers?

Go to the scorekeepers forum.

Coach, I believe what Stu is trying to say is that this forum is for officials, not scorekeepers. If you have a rule question, we can help you, but keeping a scorebook is a bit, well, out of our realm. :)

Try eteamz.com

I couldn't find a scorekeepers forum, so I figured I'd give it a shot here. I'll keep looking. :D

That's because there isn't one on officiating.com. Try eteamz.

Stu, be nice. ;)

The parent was correct.

As a rule of thumb, earned vs unearned is based on a mental replay of the inning assuming the errors were not made; and any run that would have scored in that mental exercise is earned. In your exact scenario, both runs became earned.

If a run is scored after an apparent third out, or the run is scored by a runner that is on base only because of an error, or who is advanced only because of an error and would NOT have advanced before a third out, THEN the run stays unearned. But, if a run would have scored even if all obvious plays had been made, then it is earned, even if there was an intervening error.

Hope that makes sense.

also keep in mind that if there's a pitching change, i think runs scored against the new pitcher will be earned, even if they would've been unearned if the original pitcher was still in the game, don't quote me on this, I'm pretty sure I read this somewhere, so please double check...