The only scoring that matters is the official book.
Which is pretty much Game Changer in most cases.
The only scoring that matters is the official book.
IMO ...
If the scorekeeper is keeping the book for himself, he should score however he pleases.
If he's scoring for the coaches, he should ask how they want it to be done. "Do you want me to use the official rules of scoring, or can I make up my own rules?"
If he's submitting stats to the media or sharing with anyone to satisfy their curiosity, he should include a disclaimer, "I don't adhere to the rules of scoring. I have my own system.''
If it's a college or professional team, he is obliged to adhering to the official rules.
2020 NFHS Softball Case Book
9.5.5 Situation B: B1 hits a pop-up behind second base that could easily be caught by either F4 or F6. The ball is not caught. Ruling: Since the ball should have been caught, it is a team error and not a hit.
Since the OP is scoring High School, that is the rule set that should be applied. This case makes it clear, a fly ball that should have been caught, but is not, can be scored as an error. In this example, since the error cannot be assigned to a specific player, it is a team error.
On the opposite side, a line drive into the gap, that a very athletic CF manages to get a glove on, but cannot complete the catch, could likely be scored a hit, as this was not "ordinary effort".
I agree that a fly ball ''that should have been caught" can be scored an error.
The example you cite is one of two players who could've easily caught a popup.
The example in the original post is one of a single player who could not have easily caught a fly ball after misjudging it.
2020 NFHS Softball Case Book
9.5.5 Situation B: B1 hits a pop-up behind second base that could easily be caught by either F4 or F6. The ball is not caught. Ruling: Since the ball should have been caught, it is a team error and not a hit.
Since the OP is scoring High School, that is the rule set that should be applied. This case makes it clear, a fly ball that should have been caught, but is not, can scored as an error. In this example, since the error cannot be assigned to a specific player, it is a team error.
On the opposite side, a line drive into the gap, that a very athletic CF manages to get a glove on, but cannot complete the catch, could likely be scored a hit, as this was not "ordinary effort".
It SHOULD be an error, but by convention it's a double. From what I can tell from the official rule book, you COULD (and in my opinion should) record it as an error because (to summarize) the out could have been made by an ordinary player with ordinary effort. This is never done though. I don't know why. Misplayed balls should be errors. As per MLB, "A fielder is given an error if, in the judgment of the official scorer, he fails to convert an out on a play that an average fielder should have made." and as per NCAA, "it is not necessary that the fielder touch the ball to be charged with an error. If a ground ball goes through a fielder’s legs or a pop fly falls untouched and, in the scorer’s judgment, the fielder could have handled the ball with ordinary effort, an error should be charged."Okay, so I'm trying to decide the appropriate call for a play in my daughters HS game yesterday. DD is pitching and gives up a fly ball to CF. The CF totally misreads the ball and takes 2-3 steps in before realizing the ball will now be over her head. She turns and the ball sails over her head landing about one step behind where she started when the ball was hit. The runner wound up on 2B and eventually scored.
I know the girl never got her glove on the ball, but I scored it an error. The opposing team scored it a double on GC. What say you, people?
Exactly! That's what I don't understand. Why is a physical mistake an error but not a mental one? It makes no sense.It SHOULD be an error, but by convention it's a double. From what I can tell from the official rule book, you COULD (and in my opinion should) record it as an error because (to summarize) the out could have been made by an ordinary player with ordinary effort. This is never done though. I don't know why. Misplayed balls should be errors. As per MLB, "A fielder is given an error if, in the judgment of the official scorer, he fails to convert an out on a play that an average fielder should have made." and as per NCAA, "it is not necessary that the fielder touch the ball to be charged with an error. If a ground ball goes through a fielder’s legs or a pop fly falls untouched and, in the scorer’s judgment, the fielder could have handled the ball with ordinary effort, an error should be charged."
Double. Dealing with the same issues. Poor defense does not equate errors quite often. My DD's ERA is effected much more by hits due to poor defense than hits stolen, as I suspect most high school pitchers are.Okay, so I'm trying to decide the appropriate call for a play in my daughters HS game yesterday. DD is pitching and gives up a fly ball to CF. The CF totally misreads the ball and takes 2-3 steps in before realizing the ball will now be over her head. She turns and the ball sails over her head landing about one step behind where she started when the ball was hit. The runner wound up on 2B and eventually scored.
I know the girl never got her glove on the ball, but I scored it an error. The opposing team scored it a double on GC. What say you, people?