http://iscoresports.com/

Reading through the play on one of our games I read the following:

Bottom of inning 6
#10 L Raper Ball, Ball, Ball, Strike (looking), Foul, Ball, Walk 4 0
#15 W Konvicka Foul, Foul, Foul, Reached on Fielder Choice, [L Raper advances to Second on error by Second Baseman (Unknown)] 4 0
#33 V Martinez Ball, Strike (looking), Ball, Foul, Ball, Strikeout Looking 4 0
#44 J Bledsoe Strike (looking), Foul, Strikeout Swinging, [L Raper advances to Third on Defensive Indifference] 4 0
#17 C Deleon Strike (looking), Foul, Foul, Ball, Single, [L Raper Scores] 4 1
#13 B Machleit [H Duncan comes in as Courtesy Runner for C Deleon], Ball, Strike (swinging), [A Hajduk comes in as Courtesy Runner for W Konvicka], Ball, Ball, Ball, Walk, [W Konvicka advances to Third], [(Unknown) advances to Second]


What is not correct is on Batter #13. A Hajduk comes in as courtesy runner for W Konvica. After a walk you would think the play by play would read A Hajduk advances to Third, but it still shows W Konvicka?

All this makes me wonder if I am using Courtesy Runner incorrectly vs Pinch runner. My understanding of Pinch Runner is that the runner will now be taking a permanent spot on Defense thus replacing the person substituted for. Courtesy runner is simply a runner that runs for the pitcher or catcher.

Comments?

Your understanding of courtesy runner vs pinch runner is correct.

The issue with the courtesy runner was because you had two courtesy runners in at the same time. We have now fixed this, so if you look at your play by play, it should be what you would have expected.

Just out of curiosity, what is the case where multiple courtesy runners are in at the same time? We allow it, but it seems very unusual.

If the batting order is such that the pitcher and catcher bat close together and both get on base. In our travel ball league only the pitcher and catcher can be replaced with a courtesy runner.

That is the case here as well. Courtesy Runner for pitcher and catcher. It could be that I was not paying attention and used the wrong option, will have to go back and check that.

You did courtesy runner correctly --- if you check the Play by Play, it is now showing what you would expect. We had an issue when two courtesy runners were being used at the same time, but it is now fixed.

Thanks for the clarification on Pitcher + Catcher. Catcher is very common to save time between innings so the catcher can get their equipment on, but Pitcher seems odd --- what is the purpose of courtesy runners for Pitchers? (iScore certainly allows it, this is more just out of curiosity.)

National Federation of State High School Association Rule Book 2010, rule 2.33 (page 63) Speed Up Rules, for the purpose of speeding up games.

1. At any time, the team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or the catcher.
2. The same individual runner may not be used for both positions (pitcher and catcher) during the game.
3. Neither the pitcher no the catcher will be required to leave the game under such circumstances.
4. Players who have participated int eh game in any other capacity are ineligible to serve as courtesy runners.
5. A player may not run as a courtesy runner for the pitcher or the catcher and then be used as a substitute for another player in that half inning. If an injury, illness or ejection occurs and no other runners are available, the courtesy runner may be used as a substitute.
6. The umpire-in-chief shall record courtesy runner participation and also announce it to the scorer.
7. A player who violates the courtesy-runner rule is considered to be an illegal substitute.
7a. Should an injury, illness or ejection occur to the courtesy runner, another courtesy runner for the pitcher or catcher may run.

For pitchers I would say that it is either for saving the pitchers legs or to allow for bench players to actually enter the game usually as a result of being faster than the pitcher. Or could simply be to prevent a potential injury to the pitcher of record. All guesses of course. The rules don't really state why as listed above for either the catcher or pitcher.

Theoretically CR for pitcher speeds up the game in that the pitcher is in the dugout at the time of the 3rd out. This allows for a quick start to the mound to get the throws in before the inning start. In reality, imo, it is used as an offensive tool to get a faster runner on the bases.

That was our feeling as well --- the faster runner. Seems like something that is easily exploited as both the pitchers and catchers are not typically known for their speed on the basepath.