The game of baseball has been around for over 150 years, and it has evolved over the years. One of the most important elements of the game is the concept of an error. An error is an event that occurs in baseball when a fielder fails to record an out on a play that normally should have been recorded. In order to understand what determines an error, it’s important to know the rules of the game.
What is an Error in Baseball?
An error in baseball is a play that should have been made, but wasn’t. An error can be committed by any fielder, including the pitcher and catcher. When an error is made, the batter is credited with a hit, and any runners on base are allowed to advance, even if they would have been out on a successful play.
Types of Errors
There are several different types of errors that can be committed in baseball. Some of the most common errors include:
- Throwing Error: This type of error occurs when a fielder throws the ball away from the intended target, or throws it with excessive speed or lack of accuracy.
- Fielding Error: This type of error occurs when a fielder fails to field the ball cleanly, resulting in the ball getting by him.
- Catching Error: This type of error occurs when a fielder fails to catch a ball that should have been caught.
- Balking Error: This type of error occurs when a pitcher commits a violation of the rules, such as failing to come to a complete stop before delivering a pitch.
- Dropped Third Strike: This type of error occurs when the catcher fails to catch a third strike, and the batter reaches first base safely.
How is an Error Scored?
When an error is made, the official scorer must make a judgement call as to whether or not the play should be scored as an error. The official scorer will take into account several different factors, including the speed and direction of the batted ball, the positioning of the fielder, and the difficulty of the play. If the official scorer determines that the error was a result of the fielder’s inability to make the play, then he will score it as an error.
What Happens If a Play is Scored an Error?
If a play is scored an error, then the batter is credited with a hit, and any runners on base are allowed to advance, even if they would have been out on a successful play. The fielder who committed the error is also charged with an error for the play.
How is an Error Different Than a Hit?
A hit is a play in which the batter safely reaches a base, while an error is a play in which the fielder fails to make the play. A hit is not charged to the fielder, while an error is.
Can an Error be Changed to a Hit?
Yes, an error can be changed to a hit. This can be done by an official scorer if he/she feels that the error was not the fault of the fielder, but rather a result of a batted ball that was too difficult to handle.
How Does an Error Impact a Player’s Statistics?
When an error is made, the fielder who committed the error is charged with an error. This can have a significant impact on a player’s statistics, as errors count against their fielding percentage, and can also affect their earned run average.
Conclusion
In summary, an error in baseball is a play that should have been made, but wasn’t. There are several different types of errors that can be committed, and the official scorer must make a judgement call as to whether or not the play should be scored as an error. An error is different than a hit, and can have a significant impact on a player’s statistics.