Possible pitching stats error

[jojolemon]

Scored a game today which had a fairly unusual pitching substitution late in the game.

The third pitcher of the day for the visiting team got into a bases-loaded jam and then walked in a couple of runs. With two out, he threw 3 balls in a row to the next batter (who happened to be the 8th batter in the lineup). His manager then replaced him. Pitcher #4 came into the game with bases loaded, two out, and a 3-0 count to the batter at the plate. He threw a strike and then a ball to plate another run. He then got the next batter to line out.

On the score sheet I noticed that iScore put the red "substitution" line above the 8th batter's spot instead of after. I would've marked the substitution between the 8th and 9th batters (while adding a note about the pitch-count at the time of the pitching change) if I'd been scoring by hand. So I checked the stats to see if pitcher #4 was charged with the walk or not. And, sure enough, he was. But, since he came into the game with 3 balls already across the plate, the walk should've been charged to pitcher #3.

That rule should be pretty consistent across leagues, shouldn't it? I'm most familiar with NCAA rules but I can't imagine it's different elsewhere. Please let me know if I'm wrong.

Thanks.

[FTMSupport]

We will make a note of this and get it fixed as soon as possible. It seems like a very rare situation that a substitution would be made with a 3-0 count on a batter, but we do understand it can definitely happen, and we do want to handle it correctly. If using the iOS version of iScore, you can modify the stats manually after the game by selecting the game in Game Manager, selecting Pitching Stats for the right team, then tapping on the numbers that should be changed. If you are using the Android version, this is a feature we will be adding soon there as well.

[OhioTex]

Interesting find.
(Not saying it should be a hurry up fix for FTM),


1) believe there is a mistake in the underlying code in assigning the walk to the correct pitcher per MLB rule 10.16.h.1. which specifically governs this situation (rule copied below)

2) placement of line, in my opinion..
If the pitcher substitution line can't split a batter, like you did by hand, and must be above or below the batter, (for technical computer drawing reasons,) i think FTM can use rule 10.16.h as a guide where to put the line, above or below batter.Normally above like it is now, but sometimes after..
In the 10.16.h.1 exception situations, the line could go after the batter, (eg, walk credited to proceeding pitcher), in the majority scenario 10.16.h.2 and 10.16.h.3 the line goes before the batter. Like wise if the relief pitcher gets the third strike, line before the batter as the relief pitcher gets credited for the k, even if two strikes from original pitcher.

3. Related relief pitcher stat management.. .10.02.C.1 governs innings pitched credit to relief pitchers (ie, 1/3, 2/3 etc ). iscore already appears to be handled correctly

4. on a semi related note, does iscore handle a batter change mid at bat correctly... FTM may want to look into rule 10.15.b for stats on batter substitution oddities..specifically, if batter b enters and inherits 2 strikes and strikes out, batter a gets credited with strike out not batter b. (per MLB). No "official at bat" for batter b, just batter a. does iscore handle that already?

MLB 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.
(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, the official scorer shall 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.

(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,

the official scorer shall charge that batter and the actions of that batter to the relief pitcher.

and

MLB
10.15 Strikeouts
(b) When a batter leaves the game with two strikes against him, and the substitute batter completes a strikeout, the official scorer shall charge the strikeout and the time at bat to the first batter. If the substitute batter completes the turn at bat in any other manner, including a base on balls, the official scorer shall score the action as having been that of the substitute batter.

[jojolemon]

Thanks. When scoring by hand I always waited until resolution of the at-bat (if the batter had the advantage) before drawing the substitution line to see which pitcher should get "credited/charged" with the at-bat...and noted the count at the time of the change. That's one of the things I miss about pencil and paper...relatively easy edits. Although, with the note feature, I can always make sure I can go back and figure out what happened after the fact...even if it's not easy to fix.