if a pitcher leaves the game in the middle of an at bat with 2 balls on the batter, another pitcher comes in and throws to balls and walks him, who does walk go to?

Anonymous asked: If two pitchers throw to the same batter, in the same at bat and the batter walks, who does walk get credited to?


Rick answered: Thank you for your question.


Rule 10.16 (h) The procedure when more than one pitcher is involved in giving a base on balls.

A relief pitcher shall not be held accountable when the first batter to whom he pitches reaches first base on four called balls, if such batter has a decided advantage in the ball and strike count when pitchers are changed.

(1) If, when pitchers are changed, the count is:

2 balls, no strikes

2 balls, 1 strike

3 balls, no strikes

3 balls, 1 strike

3 balls, 2 strikes,

and the batter gets a base on balls, the official scorer shall charge that batter and the base on balls to the preceding pitcher, not to the relief pitcher.

(2) Any other action by such batter, such as reaching base on a hit, an error, a fielder's choice, a force out, or being touched by a pitched ball, shall cause such a batter to be charged to the relief pitcher.

(3) If, when pitchers are changed, the count is:

2 balls, 2 strikes

1 ball, 2 strikes

1 ball, 1 strike

1 ball, no strikes

no ball, 2 strikes

no ball, 1 strike,

the official scorer shall charge that batter and the actions of that batter to the relief pitcher.


All of it hinges on whether at the time of the pitching change, the batter has a decided advantage, based on the count.

Yours in baseball,

Rick