Fun Fact: There are 7 ways a batter can safely reach first base. So let’s take a look.
1. Base Hit - What’s that?
2. Base on Balls – Better known as a walk in more casual circles.
3. Hit By Pitch – Intentional or not, the hitter trots to first base.
4. Fielder’s Choice – (The Situation) The tension is palpable; with a runner on first base the batter hits a soft ground ball to third. The third baseman makes a heads-up play, wisely throwing to second base to force the lead runner out, allowing the batter to safely reach first base.
5. Error – I told you third baseman you have failed me for the last time.
6. Dropped Third Strike – Whether a passed ball or a wild pitch, if the catcher does not properly receive strike three (swinging or looking), the hitter can and should scamper to first base. If the hitter beats the throw to first, the base is theirs. While the dropped third strike does not result in an out, it does count as a strikeout (K) in the pitcher’s official stat line. For a complete list of all the pitchers who have struck out 4 batters in 1 inning, check out the baseball almanac.
7. Catcher Interference – Rarely, a catcher will squat too close to the hitter (often occurring when the catcher wants to get an advantage over a potential base stealer) and during the swing the bat makes contact with the catcher’s mitt. As a result of the interference, the Umpire awards first base to the hitter.
Well, those are the 7 ways I can think of, but are there any more?
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5 Comments
I couldn’t help it, and i dont mean to nit-pick, but there are some revisions you have to make on #6. If there are two outs, and that situation happens, then the runner can attempt to reach first base, whether it is occupied or not. However, if there is either zero outs or one out, and a runner on first, you can not try to go to first base, even if the catcher drops the ball. The runner from first can advance to 2nd, but the batter is automatically called out if the pitch is strike 3.
Here is the official rule:
“6.09 The batter becomes a runner when … (b) the third strike called by the umpire is not caught, providing (1) first base is unoccupied, or (2) first base is occupied with two out.
“When a batter becomes a base runner on a third strike not caught by the catcher and starts for the dugout, or his position, and then realizes his situation and attempts to reach first base, he is not out unless he or first base is tagged before he reaches first base. If, however, he actually reaches the dugout or dugout steps, he may not then attempt to go to first base and shall be out.”
Also, you could include an intentional walk for #2, as that is different from just a conventional base on balls.
And an addition to the list, which i am pretty sure about, is fielder obstruction. For example, a batter bunts the ball or hit a slow grounder. While running to first, either the first baseman or another player gets in the path of the batter while the batter is attempting to run to first base. If the fielder is not making a baseball play while making contact with the runner, the runner is awarded first base.
Thanks for the official ruling.
Sweet contribution.
“I couldn’t help it, and i don’t mean to nit-pick, but”… BUT, you did.
That said, I do appreciate the knowledge.
haha yeah sorry Jason, i probably shouldve just said that i was nitpicking and left it at that.
I figured including the actual rule in there would help with the quality of my post. I miss playing baseball man… these office softball leagues arent cutting it for me anymore.