What is an ERA in softball?

Answer 1

ERA is Earned Run Average. An earned run is a run that is scored by a batter that reached base while a pitcher was on the mound, so long as the batter did not reach base on an error. Example A: If Pitcher A gives up a a single, then a home run, Pitcher A acquired 2 earned runs. Example B: If Pitcher B gives up a ground ball to the second basemen who mishandles the ball allowing the runner to reach first, and then Pitcher A gives up a home run, only 1 earned run is acquired. Example C: Pitcher C gives up a single and then is is yanked from the game. Pitcher D comes in for relief and gives up a home run. Pitcher C acquires 1 earned run for the runner on first, and Pitcher D acquires an earned run for the batter that hit the home run. Earned Run Average is calculated by determining how many earned runs a pitcher averages over nine innings. Each full inning is counted as one. If a starting pitcher is pulled from the mound with one out in the seventh inning, he pitched 6 full innings plus one third of an inning = 6 1/3 innings (this is written 6.1 innings). Lets say he gave up 4 earned runs this outing: Take 4 earned runs and divide by 6 1/3 innings and multiply by 9 innings in a game = an ERA of 5.68. Over the course of a season the numbers will get larger. In 2002, Greg Maddux gave up 58 earned runs while pitching 199.1 innings. Take 58 earned runs and divide by 199 1/3 and then multiply by 9 innings in a game = 2.62 ERA.