Wins, Losses and Saves

[JRA Qld2]

Hopefully this can help clear things up on these three key pitching stats.

To be credited with a win:

• The pitcher was on the mound or was replaced after his team last took the lead
  
• If he was the starting pitcher, he must have five complete innings; or
  
• In a game that lasts five defensive innings, he must have four complete innings
  

To be credited with a loss:

• The pitcher is credited with the oppositions winning run, whether it be earned or unearned.
  

To be credited with a save:

• The pitcher must not be the winning pitcher
  
• The pitcher must be the final pitcher for his team
  
• And he either:
  Enters the game with a lead of three or less runs and pitches at least one complete inning.
  Enters the game, with the potential tying run either on base, at bat or on deck.
  Pitches for at least three innings
  

[scorekeeper]

And in the new OBR (Aust 5th edition) a pitcher must also be credited with at least 1/3 of an inning pitched (ie, one defensive out) to earn a Save.

You would think that one wasn't necessary (how else could a reliever be a closing pitcher without getting an out), but this covers the rare situation of a game "called" (ended) that is deemed regulation without the closing pitcher (who enters the game in a Save situation) getting an out.

[scorekeeper]

In all timed and junior games, the W-L-S stat is problematic. It probably should be applied according to the system being used in the World Baseball Classic and MLB All Star Game (something called "bullpen by committee" I think), or else eliminated, as is generally done for juniors.