Why no ERROR!

I was watching the Texas/Rice game last evening on the TV and in the attempt to intentionally walk the batter to set up a force, the pitcher launches ball four over the catcher’s head allowing the runner to advance from second to third. While the game of pitch and catch can be described as a simple and basic function of baseball, if done enough times, the law of averages will catch up with you. Hence the pitcher and catcher are given certain exemptions from being burdened with the error as described in the official rules of baseball. As the father of a P/C it makes perfect sense to me!

FROM THE RULES:

Because the pitcher and catcher handle the ball much more than other fielders, certain misplays on pitched balls are defined in Rule 10.15 as wild pitches and passed balls. No error shall be charged when a wild pitch or passed ball is scored.

Fungo

Similar scenario: Batter swings thru strike three but catcher allows passed ball. Batter reaches first because ball is too far behind the catcher to be retrieved in time to throw to first. Runner on 3rd scores on the play. How is it scored?

Poles,

This has already been discussed under "is it a K or WP" topic in the umpires forum

Issue is there's a hole in the rule, why an exemption for a pitcher or catcher from an obvious error! An error is an error, if you allow a player from the other team to advance, reach or score because of a Pass Ball/Wild Pitch someone needs to be charged with an error!

Coach13,

I don't think anyone on this message board is going to be able to change the baseball scoring rules.

Exactly! Your answer has already been given. Its not an error because the rules say its not an error.

Why does a duck quack or a dog bark? Because it's in the rules.

If you want the rule changed write a letter to the governing bodies.

quote:

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Originally posted by Coach13:
Issue is there's a hole in the rule, why an exemption for a pitcher or catcher from an obvious error! An error is an error, if you allow a player from the other team to advance, reach or score because of a Pass Ball/Wild Pitch someone needs to be charged with an error!

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The rationale is that the pitcher handles the ball on EVERY pitch, and the catcher on most of them, while the fielders only get a few, if any chances during a game. Therefore, there is much more chance of a pitcher or catcher mishandling the pitch.

Think of it this way. Would you want to include every pitch in the denominator when calculating the pitcher and catchers fielding percentage.

Good one, BB!