AlwaysWrite
Addicted Member
Talk about a ridiculous Major League Baseball rule. Obviously, a relief pitcher deserves a "save" if he enters a close game with his team in the lead and he shuts the door on the opposing team. But last weekend (on June 23), Tampa Bay Rays reliever Austin Pruitt was credited with a "save" even though his team was leading 14-5 when he entered the game to begin the seventh inning.
Technically, according to Rule 10.19 of the Official Rules of Major League Baseball, he "earned" a save because the rule states that a save is credited when a pitcher meets all four of the following conditions: (1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team; (2) He is not the winning pitcher; (3) He is credited with at least ⅓ of an inning pitched; and (4) He satisfies one of the following conditions: (a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; (b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat or on deck; (c) He pitches at least three innings.
Pruitt did pitch three innings in a game that wound up 15-5, but according to the ridiculous rule, he would have received a save, even had he given up nine runs, 12 hits, six walks and three wild pitches, as long as he finished the game. Most of the time, a team's so-called closer has to work hard to preserve a late lead, but how effective does a pitcher need to be to preserve a nine- or 10-run lead? A rule change is in order.
Technically, according to Rule 10.19 of the Official Rules of Major League Baseball, he "earned" a save because the rule states that a save is credited when a pitcher meets all four of the following conditions: (1) He is the finishing pitcher in a game won by his team; (2) He is not the winning pitcher; (3) He is credited with at least ⅓ of an inning pitched; and (4) He satisfies one of the following conditions: (a) He enters the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitches for at least one inning; (b) He enters the game, regardless of the count, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat or on deck; (c) He pitches at least three innings.
Pruitt did pitch three innings in a game that wound up 15-5, but according to the ridiculous rule, he would have received a save, even had he given up nine runs, 12 hits, six walks and three wild pitches, as long as he finished the game. Most of the time, a team's so-called closer has to work hard to preserve a late lead, but how effective does a pitcher need to be to preserve a nine- or 10-run lead? A rule change is in order.