Run (baseball): definition, scoring rules, and types

How a run is scored

A run is recorded when a baserunner safely touches home plate before the third out of the inning is made, and when the play that produces the out does not negate the run (for example, a force out that removes the runner who would have forced another runner nullifies that run). Home plate must be touched in live play, and the plate umpire must signal the score.

Common ways runs occur

• Batted hits (singles, doubles, triples) that drive in runners.
• Home runs, which score the batter and any runners on base (home run).
• Sacrifice flies or groundouts that permit a runner to score.
• Bases-loaded walks or hit-by-pitch, which force a run in without a batted ball.
• Runs scored on wild pitches, passed balls, fielder's choices, or defensive errors.

Several of these types are grouped under scoring abbreviations and statistics. For example, runs driven in by a batter are tracked as RBIs, while runs scored is a separate personal statistic credited to the runner.

Earned and unearned runs; pitching statistics

Not every run is treated the same for pitchers. An "earned run" is one that scores without the benefit of defensive errors or passed balls; it is used to calculate a pitcher's earned run average (ERA). Runs that score after a fielding error or because an inning was prolonged by a misplay are often ruled "unearned." Official scorers apply standard rules to reconstruct how the inning would have progressed without the error when determining earned status.

Notable rules and distinctions

Important points: a run does not count if the third out is a force play that nullifies the scoring runner's advance; a run scored after the third out generally does not count. When a game ends on a walk-off play, only the runs necessary to decide the game may be recorded in scoring summaries. Also, runs scored and runs batted in (RBIs) are related but distinct statistics: a player can score a run without earning an RBI, and vice versa. Teams and analysts use runs and run differential to evaluate performance and strategy.

For more background on scoring conventions and official definitions see the official rules and scoring guides: team and league scoring, how runs are recorded.