Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 5/3/2011

Question
Earned or unearned?

Archie walks and advances to 3rd on passed ball.
Baker walks. Charlie walks to load the bases. Dustin walks, scoring Archie.

Is that earned? I assume 'yes' because the effect of the passed ball essentially erased by the walks (he got to 3rd anyway).

What if instead of passed ball it's an error (e.g. 1B+E9?) I assume no change.

Same situation for both questions but now 2 outs. Does anything change? I'm assuming 'no' because the error/PB would not have made an out.

I suppose only the 2nd situation applies for this last question. What if the batter scores (e.g. 1B+E9 fielding, +E9 throwing, batter scores). Then 3 straight walks. I'm still calling this earned since the 1B would put him on and the walks would score him even if the errors were removed.

Thanks. Just wanting to be sure with these non-out base-advancing errors in keeping score at 3 little league levels.

Answer
Matt,

You got all the situations correct.  If the runners would score without benefit of the error they are earned.  You reconstruct the inning without benefit of the error to make your determination.

However, if a fielder drops a foul ball and the hitter then goes on to get a hit and score - that would be unearned because the ball should have been caught and the out made.

Hope this helps!

Brian