Scott Sepich

Writer/editor. Occasional sportswriter/MiLB official scorer. @Cubs spectator. @NorthwesternU & @Parkrose alum. Former Chicago & Brooklyn resident.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@JAGNY_1987 @jittbob @GoBroncosTBH something I'll note as a scorer: scorers don't have anything to do with holds since they are not an official stat in the rulebook. Scorers only determine wins/losses/saves. Holds are added in automatically by MLB's gameday software, scorers don't assign them.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@Colinpxp @jittbob Since Latz pitched the longest of the relievers and didn't allow a baserunner, the scorer deemed him the most effective reliever. It's unusual but not unheard of.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@Colinpxp @jittbob rule 9.17(b)(2) says if the starting pitcher doesn't complete 5 innings the win goes to "the relief pitcher, if there is only one relief pitcher, or the relief pitcher who, in the Official Scorer’s judgment was the most effective, if there is more than one relief pitcher"

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@SWEaglesFan Three retired players are the committee. They each review the play independently and then vote to uphold or overturn the original ruling.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

To me this is quite obviously a 4-base error and I’m a little surprised the scorer didn’t change it after a second look and it’s going to have to be appealed by the pitcher.

[Jomboy Media @JomboyMedia]

Jo Adell had a ball bounce off his head for a home run

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

2015 Seattle Thunderbirds tweet

[Jesse Granger @JesseGranger_]

Vegas gets one back with a shot by Theodore through traffic.

Keegan Kolesar was screening in front, and looked like he got a piece of it.

2-1

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@craigdeb_ @jbravata226 @hjelholt @DownToBlack @mpsteam9 but neither of the misplays in LF last night in the 6th inning for Toronto would have ever been ruled errors in the 2 decades I've been doing this.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@craigdeb_ @jbravata226 @hjelholt @DownToBlack @mpsteam9 There are more tools available now, like high-angle cameras, that give scorers insight into whether a runner would have been safe regardless of the play being made cleanly. This could lead to more misplayed balls (correctly imo) being ruled hits, but I don't know if that's true

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@craigdeb_ @jbravata226 @hjelholt @DownToBlack @mpsteam9 MLB has emphasized consistency in scoring in recent years, which means things are more standardized across MLB and MiLB. This can lead to perceptions of major change when it's more that MLB is holding scorers accountable in expecting them to follow the rules as written.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@craigdeb_ @jbravata226 @hjelholt @DownToBlack @mpsteam9 I think the fact that we have easy access to data like catch prob and expected BA brings plays like this more into focus, but I haven't observed any significant change in how plays like this are ruled in the 20 years I've been scoring in the minors and observing MLB scoring

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@craigdeb_ @jbravata226 @hjelholt @DownToBlack @mpsteam9 That’s true but it’s not relevant to whether or not it’s an error. A bad jump or bad route falls under a mental mistake or misjudgment, which by rule is not an error. Some balls with high catch prob fall as hits, some balls with low catch prob are turned into outs.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@mpsteam9 @jbravata226 @hjelholt @DownToBlack Yeah, when a player thinks someone else is going to make the play and then fails to get into position, that falls under a “mental mistake or misjudgment” which by definition is not an error. It’s a mistake, but not all mistakes in baseball fit the definition of an error.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@jbravata226 @hjelholt @DownToBlack @mpsteam9 I’m an official scorer. A fielder must get in position to play the ball with ordinary effort to be charged an error. Because the only play on the ball is a sliding catch attempt, that is beyond ordinary and it has to be ruled a hit. Bad break for the pitcher but it’s the rule.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

https://t.co/1lozTlFUJD #baonpdx #nwsl

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

About 45 minutes from kick for @ThornsFC hosting @wearebayfc at Providence Park. Thorns looking to get back into 2nd place in the table after a loss and draw in their last 2, but they’ll have to do it without Olivia Moultrie and Reilyn Turner. #baonpdx #nwsl

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

Golazo on a 20+ yard half-volley in the 30th minute by M.A. Vignola breaks a 203-minute scoreless streak for the Thorns and they lead 1-0 at halftime. Vignola's first for Portland since being acquired last September. #baonpdx #nwsl

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

My 19th season as an MiLB official scorer, and a new stadium! @HillsboroHops

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

@tysonalger I miss out on filling in for you at one Timbers game...

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

1969 Topps Bobby Cox, his first and only card as a player. Topps deemed him worthy of the all-star rookie honor after he played OK in ‘68, but 1969 ended up being his last MLB season.

[Scott Sepich @SSepich]

Cox has an Oregon connection, he hit .278 with 16 HR and 82 RBI for the 1962 Salem Dodgers in the Northwest League