Run scores ... or not... or yes it does 2 innings later

[youngump]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

The following is certainly a hyperbolic extension, but, just suppose:

During a game, the umpire tells the scorekeeper to change the score; to ANYTHING other than the correct score. Let's say he subtracts two runs from one team because he didn't like the conversations he had with their head coach. The umpire demands that the new score be posted, despite the absence of any rule support, or support of either scorebook (obviously).

In this league, the rule is "no protests allowed". The scorekeeper believes the umpire has that authority, and changes the score.

So my question is, is the real score the score of the game, or what the umpire says it is? There is no obvious procedure to change it back; or should the "league" just do what's right?

I like your hypothetical but it brings up the same two problems.

First as it effects the rest of the game: Let's say that it's now 0-2 instead of 2-2 and it's the bottom of the seventh. Should the 2 run coach bring in his outfield since a long fly scores the winning run or play back and trade and out for a run? Or for that matter. Suppose it's 2-1 instead of 2-3. And the home team doesn't even get to play the bottom half of the seventh because the umpire changed the score.

And second, it's somewhat tangential to your hypothetical that it was a scoring error instead of a rules error. If instead of deciding to take two runs away from the team because he's upset with the coach, he directs the first two batters of the inning to take 4 base awards before he throws the pitcher the ball. They have now legally scored and the runs count. If I understand you correctly, this a clear misapplication of the rules is not a scoring error and they are stuck with the crazy result. But it's just as problematic in my mind as the one they can fix. [That said, I can certainly see a case for fixing the first and not the second along the lines ruled here.]