NCAA 10-25 Winning and Losing Pitchers

Winning and Losing Pitchers

SECTION 25.     a. For all games of eight or more innings, a starting pitcher must pitch at least five complete innings to receive credit as the winning pitcher. For all games of fewer than eight innings, the starting pitcher must pitch at least four innings to get credit for the win. Additionally, the winning pitcher’s team must be in the lead when he is replaced and must remain in the lead for the rest of the game.

b. If the starting pitcher does not pitch enough innings, the win is credited to a relief pitcher in the following manner:

1) The winning relief pitcher shall be the one who is the pitcher of record when his team goes ahead and remains ahead throughout the remainder of the game. No pitcher may receive credit for a victory if the opposing team ties the score or goes ahead after he has left the game.

Note: Whenever the score is tied, the game becomes a new contest insofar as the winning and losing pitchers are concerned.

        Exception—If a relief pitcher conforms to the above regulations but pitches briefly and ineffectively, the scorer should not credit him with a win. If a succeeding relief pitcher pitches effectively and helps maintain the lead, the scorer should award the win to that succeeding pitcher.

2) If his team maintains the lead throughout the game, and more than one relief pitcher is used, the scorer shall award the win to the relief pitcher that pitches most effectively, regardless of the number of innings pitched.

3) By pre-arrangement, if three or more pitchers are to be used, the pitcher of record shall be considered the winning pitcher.

c. When a batter or runner is substituted for a pitcher, all runs scored by his team during that inning are to his credit in determining the pitcher of record.

d. The starting pitcher shall be charged with the loss if he is replaced at any time while his team is behind and remains behind for the remainder of the game. Similarly, any relief pitcher who is the pitcher of record when the opposing team assumes the lead and never relinquishes it is charged with the loss.

Note: The pitcher of record shall be the one who is in the game at the time the winning team gains the lead, provided that the lead never is relinquished, or the one who is charged with the runs by which the opposing team takes the lead, provided that the lead never is relinquished.

e. To receive credit for a shutout, the pitcher must pitch the entire game or enter the game with no outs in the first inning and pitch the rest of the game without any runs scoring.