Scoring Inconsistencies

[Jeff C.]

Hey All,

Last night at our JV game, we had an argument about the end of the game. The visitors said we were down by two going into the last half of the inning. The home book indicated one down. Well, we scored two runs and started to walk off the field. Of course the visitors didn't agree. I know the home book is official. The UIC had asked the home scorer the score before the inning started. I don't know if he compared it to the visitors. Well, long argument ensued between the two coaches. The umpires didn't get involved and that FINALLY brings me to my question. Should the umpires have been involved? The home coach basically told the visiting coach "Tough luck. We're the home book and it's official." I think the umpires should have been making the decision. What say y'all?

[Umpire in Chief]

Unless otherwise required, umpires should stay out of scoring issues.

IMO what they should have done is stay out of the way and let the home and visiting bookkeepers get together and work things out. If they can come to an answer in reasonable time, then go with that answer. If they cannot come up with an answer then the home book will prevail. We're umpires not scorekeepers.

[BrianC14]

Hey All,

Last night at our JV game, we had an argument about the end of the game. The visitors said we were down by two going into the last half of the inning. The home book indicated one down. Well, we scored two runs and started to walk off the field. Of course the visitors didn't agree. I know the home book is official. The UIC had asked the home scorer the score before the inning started. I don't know if he compared it to the visitors. Well, long argument ensued between the two coaches. The umpires didn't get involved and that FINALLY brings me to my question. Should the umpires have been involved? The home coach basically told the visiting coach "Tough luck. We're the home book and it's official." I think the umpires should have been making the decision. What say y'all?

If the UIC is going to do this, he should at least tell the home scorekeeper to make sure it agrees with the visitors' book.

But like Warren says, stay out of it.

[Jeff C.]

Ok, I'll file that away for future reference. Thanks for the answers.

[Umpire in Chief]

I'd still love to hear from some other people about this situation. My above answer is just gut response, I could be way off.

[theedeuce]

Stay out of it... Unless any rules are not in question or a run may or may not have been recorded on the timing of the 3rd out. It's not an arguement I want to get involved with...

Edited April 3, 2009 by theedeuce

[someoneinca]

Let the scorekeepers figure out where one of them messed up. It's their problem, not yours.

[mstaylor]

I agree with UIC. stay out of it unless they question whether you scored a timing run. I do suggest that if you have a situation where it close to a mercy game or it is an one run game, have the books check each other to rectify a situation before it happens. Try not to have to stand around on a field waiting for the scorekeepers to get their act together. It could lead to a case where tempers could flare and then you are putting out fires that are not of your making.

[MCLEOD36]

Sometimes a quick, update from the coaches in the 3rd or 5th inning helps to avoid this. Without a scoreboard, it can get very dicey and with a scoreboard they too can get it wrong. My only comment is; nip in the bud if you can; but the scorekeeper is the ulimate authority.

[mstaylor]

It's not usually a problem at the varsity level but JV on down it can be interesting. A suggestion is if you think either team has a questionable scorekeeper have them check books after any inning that there was scoring.

To be honest, i don't usually think about it but in some leagues it is something to consider.

[catoblue]

My .02....

Stay out of it, unless, as mentioned, it has to do with a timing play and there is a question on score/no score.

Home book prevails if the scorekeepers can't come to an agreement. If there is still a problem - the coaches can take it up with league administration. Like UIC said: We're umpires, not scorekeepers"

[blue32]

Had a game last year that was a donnybrook. Going into the top of the 7th, it was 9-8, home team on top. Visitor was a 4A team, home team was 5A. I figure home team would put their hammer on the hill, and we would have game over pretty quickly. Not the case. Visitors put up 7 in T7, making it 15-9, home team plates 5 in B7. Once the last out is recorded, home team comes out to shake hands, while my partner and I start to leave the field. Visitor, who I have as the winner, asks us, "Who won?"

After thinking, "YHGTBSM," I tell visiting team coach, he won. No problem, right? Wrong! He says, "My scorekeeper has a tie." I said he is wrong, but just for good measure, I call the official scorekeeper down from the booth to check his book. Sure enough, home team 14, visitor 15. I told the visiting team coach he won, then my partner and I left the field, heading towards the parking lot. The home team scorekeeper stops us on the way out saying, "Wait a minute, maybe I made a mistake!" I replied with, "If you did, I bet you won't make that mistake again." Case closed, game over.

[Jeff C.]

After reading everyone's replies, I'm going to stay out of it. Thanks!

[nolanadair]

I would stay out of it as long as the coaches are handling themselves appropriately. If the coaches are discussing the score in a calm manner, then I am not going to get involved. Now if they start arguing vigorously, then I will stop the two managers. I would tell them that the score we will go by is what the home team's official scorekeeper has for the score. End of story.