Ordinary Effort and Errors
Determining whether to award a safe hit to a batter or an error to a fielder which allowed the batter to reach base safely is a judgement call for the scorers.
It is your responsibility - not a decision for the Umpire, the coaches, the crowd or the players.
How to determine if an error is made ....
Offcial Rules state:
- An error shall be charged for each misplay (fumble, muff or wild throw)
- which prolongs the time at bat of a batter or which prolongs the life of a runner
Upper case E -- a "decisive" error
- or which permits a runner to advance one or more bases
lower case e -- an "extra base" error
- ...and in the scorer's judgment the fielder could have handled the ball with ordinary effort, an error shall be charged.
- Ordinary Effort is the effort that a fielder of average skill at a position in that league or classification of leagues should exhibit on a play.
- This means ALL players in a game are judged by the same standard - not whether or not they are a more experienced or "better" player.
- If you are unsure of how to score the play, give the benefit of doubt to the batter - a safe hit.
Also, if it would have been an oustanding fielding play to put the batter/runner out, score a safe hit if the batter/runner is safe.
Remember, it is a "fielder of average skill at a position in that league " that is the standard we use.