What makes a save situation in baseball

For a save opportunity, a pitcher must be the final pitcher for his team and not the winning pitcher and do one of the following: Enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning. Enter the game with the tying run in the on-deck circle -- or closer to scoring. Pitch at least three innings.

Origin The term save was used by general managers in the s, without specific parameters. More from Pitching.

Connect with MLB. But saves didn't become an official stat until Save SV Definition A save is awarded to the relief pitcher who finishes a game for the winning team, under certain circumstances. A relief pitcher recording a save must preserve his team's lead while doing one of the following: Enter the game with a lead of no more than three runs and pitch at least one inning. Enter the game with the tying run in the on-deck circle, at the plate or on the bases.

Pitch at least three innings. To circumvent that problem, the hold statistic has been created, and is in effect a save credited to a middle reliever. Tough saves are used to determine points for the Rolaids Relief Man Award. A "Tough Save" occurs when a pitcher gets a save with the tying run on base. Also, if a reliever enters a game in a non-save situation and gives up the lead before being replaced, he will be assessed a two-point penalty same as a blown save but will not be charged with a blown save since the opportunity for a save did not exist.

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