In the high-stakes game of baseball, particularly within Major League Baseball (MLB), understanding the intricacies of each play is crucial for players and fans alike. One such aspect that often impacts the flow of the game is the “passed ball,” a scenario that involves a catcher failing to field the ball properly, which allows a baserunner to advance. It’s a subtle yet significant event that reflects on the catcher’s skills and can change the tide of an inning. In this article, we’ll delve into what a passed ball means in MLB, how it differs from other plays, such as a wild pitch, and the impact it can have on the strategies of teams and outcomes of games.
What Is a Passed Ball in Baseball?
A passed ball in baseball happens when the catcher fails to hold onto a pitch that they should have been able to catch with ordinary effort, and as a result, at least one runner on base advances. It’s essentially an error charged against the catcher, even though it doesn’t officially count as one in the scorebook.
Is a Passed Ball an Error on the Catcher?
While a passed ball is not officially recorded as an error on the catcher’s statistics, it is essentially considered their fault in the sense that they failed to catch a pitch they should have with reasonable effort, resulting in a runner advancing. This distinction is important because:
- Statistics: Errors typically impact a player’s fielding percentage, but passed balls do not.
- Blame: While not officially assigned blame, passed balls are generally seen as a reflection of the catcher’s ability to handle pitches.
Does a Passed Ball Count as a Stolen Base?
No, a passed ball does not count as a stolen base. Even though a runner might advance to the next base due to the catcher’s inability to control the pitch, it’s not considered a stolen base because the runner was not actively attempting to steal when the catcher missed the ball.
- Stolen bases require intent and effort: A stolen base is awarded when a runner intentionally tries to steal an extra base while the pitcher is throwing the ball. In a passed ball situation, the runner advances due to the catcher’s inability to control the pitch, not their own skill or strategy.
- Official scorer’s judgment: The official scorer plays a crucial role in differentiating between a stolen base and a passed ball. They assess whether the runner was actively attempting to steal before the passed ball occurred.
- Accounting for different situations: If a runner was attempting to steal and the catcher commits a passed ball, it’s still not considered a stolen base. However, if the runner takes advantage of the passed ball and advances further than their initial steal attempt, it might be considered a double steal (if another runner is also advancing) or a fielder’s choice (if the defense throws out another runner).
