Pinch Runners and Pinch Hitters handled improperly for MLB

[rayboston]

Hi,

I wonder if I am missing a setting in iScore.

When I assign a pinch runner for a player, iScore is keeping the first player in the batting order. This really screwed me up when I was scoring yesterday's Red Sox game. Miguel Tejada, DH, hit a double and Julio Lugo came in as a pinch runner. I placed Lugo in as pinch runner but iScore kept Tejada in the game as DH. In the same inning Josh Bell was injured when he was at bat, and Jake Fox replace him with a 1-1 count. Bell should have been taken out of the lineup, but he was left in.

When the next inning started I had problems because the replaced players were still in the lineup. I was never able to get them fixed in time and had to stop scoring the game.

iScore normally does a great job of managing the rules of the game and doing the right thing. So I suspect that I am missing a setting somewhere that will make it follow MLB rules.

To follow MLB rules (and other leagues) iScore should do the following.

1. When a player comes in as a PH or PR, the player being replaced should be removed from the lineup. His "batting" status should be set to "No" and the new players batting status should be set to "Yes" with no position.

2. When the top of the next inning happens, iScore should warn about unfilled positions and offer to place the PR or PH in the defensive position of the person he replaced.

Does the program already do this?

Thanks!

Ray

[OhioTex]

sounds like you may have used "curtesoy runner" button (a non substitution) vs doing an offensive substitution..

[rayboston]

Hmm. I touched the runner and replaced him. Should I have used a different button?

[danmcc]

Ray, you have the option of Pinch runner or Courtesy runner. Pinch runner should work as you expect, courtesy runner is for youth baseball to replace runner if the runner is a pitcher or catcher.

[rayboston]

Nope. I just tested it.

I used pinch runner, replaced a runner, and the original player showed up playing his original position.

Am I missing something at the top of the screen? I'm just selecting the runner's name after touching "pinch runner".

[PetroGuy]

I think this is because of iScore's 'score it as you see it' philosophy. You see the PR and you make the change. However, at that point, you don't know who will bat at that point in the order or take that defensive position in the field yet, so the only change you make is for the runner. When that team takes the field next, you make the appropriate defensive substitutions. When that spot in the lineup comes up next you make the offensive change. Of course, if you know what changes will be made when the PR comes in, you can make them at that time.

BTW Ray, if you do not get the substitutions correct, just keep scoring with the wrong names in for the time being. You can always go to the pitch-by-pitch later and make the corrections afterwards. All stats will be updated to reflect the changes.

[rayboston]

Hi PetroGuy,

I think you're right about the philosophy, and I understand the idea of adding the changes as they are announced.

But, legally the old batter/runner is out of the lineup as soon as the change is made. So the iScore scorecard is factually incorrect at that point in the game, and it really shouldn't be allowed to become incorrect.

It would be more in keeping with the philosophy if the old guy were removed and then there was a question mark, or a warning, when the next inning started. That way the scoring system would be in sync with what is really happening.

Would that be submittable as an enhancement request?

[FTMSupport]

As noted in another similar thread, we used to do both the offensive and defensive substitutions at the same time, but this actually caused even more confusion for users. At the lower levels, many things are possible that are not allowed at the higher levels (free substitutions for example). We will likely add a preference in a future release that will allow users to set up iScore so offensive substitutions can imply defensive replacement for those that want to work that way. Thank you.

[OhioTex]

oh yeah, i remember those days..

I like the idea of a game option to set up a game as Free or Strict Substitution rules...

[rayboston]

Yup. That's what I figured. Many leagues have free substitution, or lineups that are disconnected from the defensive positions.

I recommend an "MLB-mode" that would set a variety of features to MLB rules. This could be part of a league setup.

MLB rules would included:

1. When a player is removed his name is dimmed when you're making future substitutions. If he is chosen a warning is issued.
2. When a player is replaced as a PR or PH he is removed from his defensive responsibilities
3. If the DH gets moved to a fielding position, the DH slot disappears and the pitcher gets added to the lineup where the defensively replaced player was. (I actually saw this in a game where the DH was also the team's best relief pitcher).

I hope you get to do this enhancement.

Thanks again for a GREAT product!

Ray