How to Calculate Unearned Runs

In terms of baseball scorekeeping, an important distinction is made between "earned" and "unearned" runs. In the simplest of terms, runs are earned when they come about as a normal result of the actions of the batting team, and not as a result of any mistakes on the part of the pitching team, such as errors, passed balls, or interference. The total amount of unearned runs surrendered by a team is not a commonly tracked statistic in professional baseball today, but it is useful in determining how well that team's defense is doing, and it can be calculated via the use of other, more widely-available team statistics.

Things You'll Need

  • Calculator
  • Current record of team statistics
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Instructions

    • 1

      Take the total number of innings played by the team in the season in question and divide by 9. This will correct for games that have gone into extra innings or officially complete games ended early by weather.

    • 2

      Multiply the result from Step 1 by the collective team's earned run average. This gives you the total number of earned runs surrendered by the team in the season in question.

    • 3

      Add up the total number of runs surrendered by the team during the season in question.

    • 4

      Subtract the result calculated in Step 2 from the result calculated in Step 3 to get the total number of unearned runs surrendered by the team.