Save Rule in 1965

Question
Brian,
If no save rule for 1965, what criteria was used beginning in 1960 for Sporting News Fireman of the Year awards?  I'm playing 1965 APBA N.L. season and am tracking everything on Excel.
Thanks,
Mike

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Followup To

Question -
Brian,
Like many baseball rules, the Save rule has undergone some changes over the years.  What was the exact Save rule for the 1965 season?
Thanks

Answer -
Mike,

The rule for a Save did not exist in the 1965 version of the baseball rules.  A save was not introduced to baseball scoring until 1967.  The rule in 1967 was:

"Credit a save to a relief pitcher who enters a game with his team in the lead if he holds the lead the remainder of the game, provided he is not credited with the victory.  A relief pitcher cannot be credited with a save if he does not finish the game unless he is removed for a pinch hitter or pinch runner.  When more then one relief pitcher qualifies for a save under the provisions of this rule, credit the save to the relief pitcher judged by the scorer to have been the most effective.  Only one save can be credited in any game."

What you will see if you look in the baseball encyclopedias is that players have been credited with saves for before the year 1967.  These have been awarded retroactively (sometimes using different rules depending on who is writing the book).

Hope this helps!

Brian

Answer
Mike,

I'm not sure what criteria the "Sporting News" used for their records.  They may very well have been awarding saves using whatever criteria they thought was appropriate.  But major league baseball didn't award saves as an official stat until 1967.

Sorry about my lack of help...

Brian