I'd like to have some information on how fielding stats are kept. For example if someone fields the ball then throws it to someone on base who fumbles or misses it, will the fielding player at least get some credit statistics-wise?
Original Post
Replies sorted oldest to newest
Izzismom, do you mind if I piggyback your question?
I keep stats for my team. I keep track of chances, assists, put-outs and errors. However, I only count a "chance" if the player gets an assist, put-out or error.
Should I also, for example, give an outfielder a "chance" when he fields an outfield hit and simply throws it into the infield?
I keep stats for my team. I keep track of chances, assists, put-outs and errors. However, I only count a "chance" if the player gets an assist, put-out or error.
Should I also, for example, give an outfielder a "chance" when he fields an outfield hit and simply throws it into the infield?
izzismom:
An assist would be credited in the situation you describe. Example: The shortstop fields a ground ball and throws it the second baseman covering at second in an effort to force out a runner coming from first base. The scorer deems the throw to be accurate (at least accurate enough to catch) and that the ball would have arrived at the base before the runner. But the second baseman drops the ball, allowing the runner to reach second base safely. On this play, the batter would reach base on a fielder's choice, the shortstop would be credited with an assist, and the second baseman would be charged with a error.
biggerpapi:
You are correct to only count a "chance" if the player gets an assist, put-out or error. The term "chance" seems to only apply to "chances to put out" an opposing player. Yes, a fielder can be charged with an error on a play involving a base hit, but it is still not considered a "chance".
An assist would be credited in the situation you describe. Example: The shortstop fields a ground ball and throws it the second baseman covering at second in an effort to force out a runner coming from first base. The scorer deems the throw to be accurate (at least accurate enough to catch) and that the ball would have arrived at the base before the runner. But the second baseman drops the ball, allowing the runner to reach second base safely. On this play, the batter would reach base on a fielder's choice, the shortstop would be credited with an assist, and the second baseman would be charged with a error.
biggerpapi:
You are correct to only count a "chance" if the player gets an assist, put-out or error. The term "chance" seems to only apply to "chances to put out" an opposing player. Yes, a fielder can be charged with an error on a play involving a base hit, but it is still not considered a "chance".
JWC32, Thanks for the reply. Now the "chance" term is a new one on me. Can you explain that again to me from a little more "stats for dummies" approach? Thanks a million for your patience.
izzismom,
using JWC's example
when keeping score, I would write the notation FC-6-E4C which says
Fielder's choice (to throw to second instead of first) short fielded cleanly and threw to second who made a catching error
When entering as stats, short gets the assist even though no out was made. (So short had 1 chance with 0 error and second had 1 chance with 1 error.)
The batter does not get credit for a hit but does get on base credit.
bigger, you cannot give an assist unless an attempt at a play was made. You were right in your assumption that no assist is given just for throwing the ball in. Statistically, outfielders tend not to get many "chances" since "chances" only count in terms of they made a play on a runner either cleanly (put-out or assist) or with an error.
using JWC's example
when keeping score, I would write the notation FC-6-E4C which says
Fielder's choice (to throw to second instead of first) short fielded cleanly and threw to second who made a catching error
When entering as stats, short gets the assist even though no out was made. (So short had 1 chance with 0 error and second had 1 chance with 1 error.)
The batter does not get credit for a hit but does get on base credit.
bigger, you cannot give an assist unless an attempt at a play was made. You were right in your assumption that no assist is given just for throwing the ball in. Statistically, outfielders tend not to get many "chances" since "chances" only count in terms of they made a play on a runner either cleanly (put-out or assist) or with an error.
Hey, I just learned something. I can still give a shortstop an assist even if the second baseman drops the throw...provided there should have been an out made at that base.
I also learned in the off season that a catcher gets credit for a put-out on a strikeout.
I also learned in the off season that a catcher gets credit for a put-out on a strikeout.
You're right on the K/C point, but if you're right on giving an A on an E play, it's news to me. I have been under the impression it's like basketball -- no assist if the guy you make a perfect pass to misses the layup.
Can you cite to a rulebook provision on this?
Can you cite to a rulebook provision on this?
I agree. In order to give the assist there has to be a put out.
now that i think about it, i believe you can get an assist w/o a put out recorded....
Okay, now I'm confused. For the time being I will NOT give an assist if there was no put-out.
Now, how about this. Pitcher does a pick off move to first. Runner goes to 2nd. 1B throws to SS for the put-out. Does the pitcher also get an assist in addition to the First Baseman?
Now, how about this. Pitcher does a pick off move to first. Runner goes to 2nd. 1B throws to SS for the put-out. Does the pitcher also get an assist in addition to the First Baseman?
I believe so, scored CS 1-3-6.
I'm sorry, but an assist CAN indeed by credited on a play in which no putout results. And yes, this applies to MLB, college, and high school.
MLB 10.11
An assist shall be credited to each fielder who throws or deflects a batted or thrown ball in such a way that a putout results, or would have resulted except for a subsequent error by any fielder.
NCAA 10.14. a. An assist is credited to a fielder when he handles or effectively deflects the ball during action that is connected with a putout or he handles the ball before an error that prevents what would have been a putout.
NFHS 9-5-3
An assist is credited to a fielder each time he handles or deflects the ball during action which is connected with the putout or he handles the ball prior to an error which prevents what would have been a putout...
Along the same lines is the old and oft-repeated canard that you "cannot assume a double play". Well, yes and no. You cannot assume a double play if, for instance, the shortstop fields a ground ball, tosses it to the second baseman covering the bag, and the second baseman throws wildly to first. But you CAN "assume" a double play if the second baseman's throw is accurate enough to catch, but the first baseman drops the ball. Now you have an assist for the SS, both a putout and an assist for the 2B, and an error for the 1B. If the double play would have ended the inning, any runs scored afterwards and charged to the pitcher currently in the game would be unearned.
MLB 10.11
An assist shall be credited to each fielder who throws or deflects a batted or thrown ball in such a way that a putout results, or would have resulted except for a subsequent error by any fielder.
NCAA 10.14. a. An assist is credited to a fielder when he handles or effectively deflects the ball during action that is connected with a putout or he handles the ball before an error that prevents what would have been a putout.
NFHS 9-5-3
An assist is credited to a fielder each time he handles or deflects the ball during action which is connected with the putout or he handles the ball prior to an error which prevents what would have been a putout...
Along the same lines is the old and oft-repeated canard that you "cannot assume a double play". Well, yes and no. You cannot assume a double play if, for instance, the shortstop fields a ground ball, tosses it to the second baseman covering the bag, and the second baseman throws wildly to first. But you CAN "assume" a double play if the second baseman's throw is accurate enough to catch, but the first baseman drops the ball. Now you have an assist for the SS, both a putout and an assist for the 2B, and an error for the 1B. If the double play would have ended the inning, any runs scored afterwards and charged to the pitcher currently in the game would be unearned.