If team A goes ahead of team B 5-0 in the first inning and the coach then uses a different pitcher every inning throughout the rest of the game yet the score remains 5-0, which pitcher gets the win?
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Good question.
I think by rule the starting pitcher can not get the win. Any of the other pitchers could get the win. It is left up to the official score keeper who would base it on which pitcher was most effective.
It is odd that even if the starting pitcher struckout the side on 9 pitches, he could not be awarded the win. Anyway, that's what I think is correct. Isn't it?
I think by rule the starting pitcher can not get the win. Any of the other pitchers could get the win. It is left up to the official score keeper who would base it on which pitcher was most effective.
It is odd that even if the starting pitcher struckout the side on 9 pitches, he could not be awarded the win. Anyway, that's what I think is correct. Isn't it?
We had this discussion before and I think the answer was, it depends on whose rules you're playing under.
In MLB, the starter has to finish 5 to qualify. But in NCAA, there's a rule that if the coach announces before hand that he's going to limit the starter and divvy up the innings, the starter can qualify with less. I can't remember for sure which rule NFHS follows (though HS uses a 4-inning qualifying standard).
But in this hypothetical if the coach made his decision only after the game was underway, after seeing the score, the starter would not qualify under anybody's rules.
In MLB, the starter has to finish 5 to qualify. But in NCAA, there's a rule that if the coach announces before hand that he's going to limit the starter and divvy up the innings, the starter can qualify with less. I can't remember for sure which rule NFHS follows (though HS uses a 4-inning qualifying standard).
But in this hypothetical if the coach made his decision only after the game was underway, after seeing the score, the starter would not qualify under anybody's rules.
MD is correct, in college, the pitcher that was the pitcher on record when they went ahead is the winner. 
It most likely was predetermined in advance, which is allowed.
It most likely was predetermined in advance, which is allowed.
In youth ball, and even in some high school games, pitchers do not pitch the minimum number of innings by coaches choice, so I've always given the win to the starter. Techically it may not be right, but if the pitcher wasn't struggling, it wasn't his fault he didn't go on the required number of innings.
We have always done it the Obrady way.
This is governed by MLB Official Rule 10.19 (see below). Oddly enough the (<5 inning) starting pitcher CAN get the loss. Also interesting is the provision in certain special games like the All-Star game to give a win to a short starter when the inning rotation plan is prearranged.
Now for the legalese:
WINNING AND LOSING PITCHER
10.19
(a) Credit the starting pitcher with a game won only if he has pitched at least five complete innings and his team not only is in the lead when he is replaced but remains in the lead the remainder of the game.
(b)The “must pitch five complete innings” rule in respect to the starting pitcher shall be in effect for all games of six or more innings. In a five-inning game, credit the starting pitcher with a game won if he has pitched at least four complete innings and his team not only is in the lead when he is replaced but remains in the lead the remainder of the game.
(c)When the starting pitcher cannot be credited with the victory because of the provisions of 10.19(a) or (b) and more than one relief pitcher is used, the victory shall be awarded on the following basis:
(1) When, during the tenure of the starting pitcher, the winning team assumes the lead and maintains it to the finish of the game, credit the victory to the relief pitcher judged by the scorer to have been the most effective;
(2) Whenever the score is tied the game becomes a new contest insofar as the winning and losing pitcher is concerned;
(3) Once the opposing team assumes the lead all pitchers who have pitched up to that point are excluded from being credited with the victory except that if the pitcher against whose pitching the opposing team gained the lead continues to pitch until his team regains the lead, which it holds to the finish of the game, that pitcher shall be the winning pitcher;
(4) The winning relief pitcher shall be the one who is the pitcher of record when his team assumes the lead and maintains it to the finish of the game. EXCEPTION: Do not credit a victory to a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when a succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain the lead. In such cases, credit the succeeding relief pitcher with the victory.
(d) When a pitcher is removed for a substitute batter or substitute runner, all runs scored by his team during the inning in which he is removed shall be credited to his benefit in determining the pitcher of record when his team assumes the lead.
(e) Regardless of how many innings the first pitcher has pitched, he shall be charged with the loss of the game if he is replaced when his team is behind in the score, or falls behind because of runs charged to him after he is replaced, and his team thereafter fails either to tie the score or gain the lead.
(f) No pitcher shall be credited with pitching a shutout unless he pitches the complete game, or unless he enters the game with none out before the opposing team has scored in the first inning, puts out the side without a run scoring and pitches all the rest of the game. When two or more pitchers combine to pitch a shutout a notation to that effect should be included in the league’s official pitching records.
(g) In some non-championship games (such as the Major League All- Star Game) it is provided in advance that each pitcher shall work a stated number of innings, usually two or three. In such games, it is customary to credit the victory to the pitcher of record, whether starter or reliever, when the winning team takes a lead which it maintains to the end of the game, unless such pitcher is knocked out after the winning team has a commanding lead, and the scorer believes a subsequent pitcher is entitled to credit for the victory.
Now for the legalese:
WINNING AND LOSING PITCHER
10.19
(a) Credit the starting pitcher with a game won only if he has pitched at least five complete innings and his team not only is in the lead when he is replaced but remains in the lead the remainder of the game.
(b)The “must pitch five complete innings” rule in respect to the starting pitcher shall be in effect for all games of six or more innings. In a five-inning game, credit the starting pitcher with a game won if he has pitched at least four complete innings and his team not only is in the lead when he is replaced but remains in the lead the remainder of the game.
(c)When the starting pitcher cannot be credited with the victory because of the provisions of 10.19(a) or (b) and more than one relief pitcher is used, the victory shall be awarded on the following basis:
(1) When, during the tenure of the starting pitcher, the winning team assumes the lead and maintains it to the finish of the game, credit the victory to the relief pitcher judged by the scorer to have been the most effective;
(2) Whenever the score is tied the game becomes a new contest insofar as the winning and losing pitcher is concerned;
(3) Once the opposing team assumes the lead all pitchers who have pitched up to that point are excluded from being credited with the victory except that if the pitcher against whose pitching the opposing team gained the lead continues to pitch until his team regains the lead, which it holds to the finish of the game, that pitcher shall be the winning pitcher;
(4) The winning relief pitcher shall be the one who is the pitcher of record when his team assumes the lead and maintains it to the finish of the game. EXCEPTION: Do not credit a victory to a relief pitcher who is ineffective in a brief appearance, when a succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively in helping his team maintain the lead. In such cases, credit the succeeding relief pitcher with the victory.
(d) When a pitcher is removed for a substitute batter or substitute runner, all runs scored by his team during the inning in which he is removed shall be credited to his benefit in determining the pitcher of record when his team assumes the lead.
(e) Regardless of how many innings the first pitcher has pitched, he shall be charged with the loss of the game if he is replaced when his team is behind in the score, or falls behind because of runs charged to him after he is replaced, and his team thereafter fails either to tie the score or gain the lead.
(f) No pitcher shall be credited with pitching a shutout unless he pitches the complete game, or unless he enters the game with none out before the opposing team has scored in the first inning, puts out the side without a run scoring and pitches all the rest of the game. When two or more pitchers combine to pitch a shutout a notation to that effect should be included in the league’s official pitching records.
(g) In some non-championship games (such as the Major League All- Star Game) it is provided in advance that each pitcher shall work a stated number of innings, usually two or three. In such games, it is customary to credit the victory to the pitcher of record, whether starter or reliever, when the winning team takes a lead which it maintains to the end of the game, unless such pitcher is knocked out after the winning team has a commanding lead, and the scorer believes a subsequent pitcher is entitled to credit for the victory.
Good points by all, but once again here is the original question.
Is there a provision to the rules that allows the starting pitch to be awarded the win in this case? At any level?
The reason I ask is because this exact thing does happen once in awhile in tournaments we run. We always award the win to the pitcher who the official score keeper decided was most effective.
I would be interested in knowing the actual rule as it pertains to high school, college.
Thanks
quote:If team A goes ahead of team B 5-0 in the first inning and the coach then uses a different pitcher every inning throughout the rest of the game yet the score remains 5-0, which pitcher gets the win?
Is there a provision to the rules that allows the starting pitch to be awarded the win in this case? At any level?
The reason I ask is because this exact thing does happen once in awhile in tournaments we run. We always award the win to the pitcher who the official score keeper decided was most effective.
I would be interested in knowing the actual rule as it pertains to high school, college.
Thanks
If I recall correctly, you use NFHS rules as the basis for your tournaments, with only a few modifications that you post in your tournament rules.. Not MLB or NCAA -- right?
I don't think the NFHS rules have the section the NCAA rules have (see section 25) about prearrangements for starters going under 5 innings. So, the HS standard of 4 innings would govern a starter.
In your scenario the starter would be ineligible, but the most effective of the relievers who followed would get the W. So you are correct in going with the most effective as long as you don't give it to the starter.
But hey, you make the rules, do it however you like! Just add a line to your NFHS rules modifications sheet from now on and that'll clear it up.
I don't think the NFHS rules have the section the NCAA rules have (see section 25) about prearrangements for starters going under 5 innings. So, the HS standard of 4 innings would govern a starter.
In your scenario the starter would be ineligible, but the most effective of the relievers who followed would get the W. So you are correct in going with the most effective as long as you don't give it to the starter.
But hey, you make the rules, do it however you like! Just add a line to your NFHS rules modifications sheet from now on and that'll clear it up.