Glossary
Earned run
An earned run is a run the pitcher is held responsible for: one that scores without the help of a fielding error, a passed ball or catcher's interference. Earned runs are what ERA counts.
The scorer decides, run by run, whether the defense or the pitcher gave it up. A runner who reached base on a hit, a walk or a hit by pitch and then came around on hits, walks, wild pitches, steals or outs scored an earned run. A runner who reached on an error, or who scored only because of an error or a passed ball, scored an unearned run, and so did anyone who scored after the defense should have been out of the inning.
The way to decide is to replay the inning without the mistakes. Take out each error and passed ball, give the defense the out it should have made, and see who would still have scored. If the third out should have come on a dropped fly ball, every run after it is unearned, even a home run. When it is close, the scorer gives the pitcher the benefit of the doubt.
A wild pitch is the pitcher's own mistake, so a run that scores on one is earned. A passed ball is the catcher's, so it is not. That one line on the score sheet, WP or PB, changes the pitcher's ERA, which is why the scorer marks every advance with how it happened.
ERA is earned runs times the innings in a regulation game, divided by innings pitched: nine for high school and up in baseball, seven for softball and most youth baseball, six for the youngest divisions. A pitcher who gives up 3 earned runs in 7 innings of softball has an ERA of 3.00.
On paper, mark the run with a filled circle or the letters ER in the box where it scored and an unearned run with UR or a hollow circle, and add up the pitcher's earned runs at the end of the game. A pitching chart with a column for them keeps the season's totals in one place.
Examples
- A leadoff walk, a stolen base and a single: the run is earned.
- The leadoff batter reaches on an error by the shortstop and scores on a double: unearned.
- Two outs, a dropped fly ball that should have been the third out, then a home run: both runs are unearned.
- A runner on third scores on a wild pitch (earned), or on a passed ball (unearned).
Put it on a card: Pitching charts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an earned run and an unearned run?
An earned run would have scored without any errors, passed balls or catcher's interference. An unearned run needed one of those to score, or scored after the inning should have ended.
Does a wild pitch make a run unearned?
No. A wild pitch is charged to the pitcher, so a run that scores on it is earned. A run that scores on a passed ball, charged to the catcher, is unearned.
How do you calculate ERA?
Multiply earned runs by the number of innings in a regulation game (9, 7 or 6) and divide by innings pitched. Count a partial inning as thirds: 4â…” innings is 4.667.
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