9.15 Strikeouts

9.15 Strikeouts

A strikeout is a statistic credited to a pitcher and charged to a batter when the umpire calls three strikes on a batter, as set forth in this Rule 9.15 (Rule 10.15).

(a)  The official scorer shall score a strikeout whenever a batter:

(1)  is put out by a third strike caught by the catcher;

(2)  is put out by a third strike not caught when there is a runner on first before two are out;

(3)  becomes a runner because a third strike is not caught; or

(4)  bunts foul on third strike, unless such bunt on third strike results in a foul fly caught by any fielder, in which case the official scorer shall not score a strikeout and shall credit the fielder who catches such foul fly with a putout.

(b)  When a batter leaves the game with two strikes against him, and the substitute batter completes a strikeout, the official scorer shall charge the strikeout and the time at bat to the first batter. If the substitute batter completes the turn at bat in any other manner, including a base on balls, the official scorer shall score the action as having been that of the substitute batter.