What is a Save?
In baseball, a save is a statistic awarded to a relief pitcher who meets certain criteria, as set forth by the official rules of Major League Baseball (MLB). A save is a statistic used to measure the effectiveness of a relief pitcher, awarding one point to a pitcher for successfully finishing a game for the winning team. To qualify for a save, a pitcher must meet certain criteria, including: entering the game with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck; pitching for at least one inning; and not allowing the tying run to score.
The History of the Save
The save was first introduced in 1960 by legendary sports writer Jerome Holtzman. Holtzman was a baseball writer for the Chicago Tribune and wanted to quantify the value of a relief pitcher. At the time, the only statistic tracked for relief pitchers was the win-loss record. Holtzman’s idea was to create a statistic to measure a reliever’s contribution to a game.
The save was officially adopted by MLB in 1969 and has become an integral part of the game. The save has evolved over the years, with the criteria for a save changing to reflect the modern game.
How to Determine a Save
In order to determine a save, there are several criteria that must be met. The pitcher must:
- Enter the game with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck
- Pitch for at least one inning
- Not allow the tying run to score
These criteria must be met in order for a pitcher to earn a save.
The Different Types of Saves
There are three types of saves that a pitcher can earn: a regular save, a hold, and a blown save.
Regular Save
A regular save is awarded to a relief pitcher who finishes the game with no more than a three-run lead and pitches for at least one inning. The game must end with the pitcher recording the final out of the game.
Hold
A hold is awarded to a relief pitcher who enters the game with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck, and does not allow the tying run to score. The pitcher must also leave the game with the lead intact, but does not have to record the final out.
Blown Save
A blown save is awarded to a relief pitcher who enters the game with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck, and allows the tying run to score. The pitcher must also leave the game with the lead intact, but does not have to record the final out.
The Importance of the Save
The save is an important statistic for relief pitchers, as it is one of the few ways to measure their effectiveness. It is also a key component of the game, as pitchers are rewarded for their performance in high-pressure situations.
Relief pitchers often strive for the save, as it is one of the few ways to measure their performance in the game. It is also one of the few ways to earn recognition for their contributions to the team.
The Role of the Closer
The closer is an important role on a baseball team, as they are typically the pitcher who is called upon to get the final three outs of the game. The closer is usually the team’s best relief pitcher and is used to preserve a lead in the late innings. The closer is also typically rewarded with a save when they are successful in their role.
The Impact of the Save on the Team
The save has a direct impact on the team, as it is often the deciding factor in a close game. A successful save can help a team win a game, while a blown save can cause a team to lose a game. The save is also an important statistic for relief pitchers, as it is one of the few ways to measure their effectiveness.
Conclusion
In baseball, a save is a statistic used to measure the effectiveness of a relief pitcher. To qualify for a save, a pitcher must enter the game with the potential tying run either on base, at bat, or on deck; pitch for at least one inning; and not allow the tying run to score. There are three types of saves that a pitcher can earn: a regular save, a hold, and a blown save. The save is an important statistic for relief pitchers, as it is one of the few ways to measure their effectiveness. It is also a key component of the game, as pitchers are rewarded for their performance in high-pressure situations. The save has a direct impact on the team, as it is often the deciding factor in a close game.