Fly ball missed - is it an error?

Yes, it's an error there is no mention of 'ball hitting glove' in the rule book. A frequent comment is, at least the kid who got a glove on it, got close enough to get a glove on it. You can find the rules at OBR Scoring Rules

The exerpt to show your buddy is below

Per Official Baseball Rules (OBR):
10.12 ERRORS
An error is a statistic charged against a fielder whose action has assisted the team on offense, as set forth in this Rule 10.12.
(a) The official scorer shall charge an error against any fielder:
(1) whose misplay (fumble, muff or wild throw) prolongs the time at bat of a batter, prolongs the presence on the bases of a runner or permits a runner to advance one or more bases, unless, in the judgment of the official scorer, such fielder deliberately permits a foul fly to fall safe with a runner on third base before two are out in order that the runner on third shall not score after the catch;
Rule 10.12
109
Rule 10.12(a)(1) Comment: ... The official scorer shall charge an outfielder with an error if such outfielder allows a fly ball to drop to the ground if, in the official scorer’s judgment, an outfielder at that position making ordinary effort would have caught such fly ball...

quote:

Originally posted by JMoff:
Rule 10.12(a)(1) Comment: ... The official scorer shall charge an outfielder with an error if such outfielder allows a fly ball to drop to the ground if, in the official scorer’s judgment, an outfielder at that position making ordinary effort would have caught such fly ball...

Here is the crux of the arguement. If the fielder could have made the play "with ordinary effort", is an error regardless of whether he touches or "gets leather" on the ball or not.

Therefore, you could have a play where an outfielder who misplays a ball that should have been caught with ordinary effort, that he never gets a glove on, that should be scored an error. On the other hand, you could have a play where the fielder makes a diving attempt at a ball, the ball hits his glove but he doesn't catch it that should be scored a hit. You can argue that the play required effort beyond ordinary, therefore even though the fielder got leather on it, it is still a hit.

Hope that helps clarify it.

How does this apply to infield? ie, soft liners that are misplayed.

Pretty much the same thing. In the scorers judgement, if the play should have been made "with ordinary effort" and the play is not made, it is an error. If the play would have taken "extra-ordinary effort" and was not made, it should be a hit. Whether or not "leather" is involved has nothing to do with it.

If a ball goes right between an infielders legs that he never touches, it is an error even though he didn't touch it. I have seen many cases in the Major Leagues where a third baseman has a rocket hit at him on a short hop. The fielder attempts to make the play, but it hits off the heel of his glove and bounces up in the air or into left field. Scoring - base hit. It really is a total judgement call on the part of the score keeper as to whether a play should have been made with "ordinary effort".

BBALLMAN - Thanks for the assist. I tried bolding that exact phrase, thought I had and didn't realize it didn't work.

Ryanrod - I cut down the OBR reference, but there are similar words about infield play, specifically highlighting plays where the ball is not touched, but should be scored an error.

Of course Dustin Pedroia's infield grounder last night that was miss-played by Casey Blake was scored a single by the home scorer. I'm now wondering exactly what an error is and maybe there is no such thing (and I'm a Red Sox fan)...