“Get to first” implies-to me-that the runner has himself earned the base due to some event while at bat.
Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker.
Obligatory link to the column.
I thought it was possible to steal first? Not likely, but possible…
It’s not possible to steal first base. It used to be OK under the rules to “steal” first base from second. This was done at least once with a runner on third attempting to draw a throw to let that runner score, but running the bases in reverse order to attmept to confuse the defense is now against the rules.
However there is another way to get to first base as shown in a recent Brewers Cubs game. Segura was on second and Braun was on first. Segura was caught in a rundown between second and third and Braun took off for second. Both arrived there and were tagged. Braun was out as Segura had the right to the bag. However, Segura apparently thinking he was out started trotting towards his dugout on the first base line. His teammates or the coach called to him and he made it safely back to first base where he was allowed to stay.
The umpire Tom Hallion said, “Technically, he stole second [earlier], stole first, then got thrown out stealing second [later].” This isn’t actually how it was scored though as the box score shows only one stolen base for Segura along with his caught stealing. But he did indeed get [back] to first base by some method.
Here’s the box score:
http://jsonline.sportsdirectinc.com/baseball/mlb-boxscores.aspx?page=/data/MLB/results/2013/boxscore355676.html
Here’s a description:
If a pinch hitter replaces a batter who has three called balls already and gets another pitched ball, he goes to first base, but the walk is actually credited to the first batter in the statistics. So the second batter gets to first base due to some event while at bat and technically did not get a walk though his being on first is, indeed, due to a base on balls.
Anybody have the current list?
I recall:
Hit by pitch
Walk
Pinch Runner
The ball stuck in the catcher’s mask
Third strike steal
If the question is ‘without getting a hit’, then also:
Error
Fielder’s Choice
Interference
Maybe more that I forgot. Seems to me you’ve got to hit the ball for interference, or it’s combined with a third strike steal.
According to the rules:
Page 62, Rule 7.05(d and e), batter and runners get two bases if a thrown ball (presumed to include pitch or pick-off/rundown throw, not just batted into play) is deliberately touched with a fielder’s cap, glove, mask or uniform detached from its proper place.
I remember announcers mentioning this rule back when Mike Piazza played for the Mets. The ball was on the ground near Mike and he used his mask to drag the ball closer, the opposing manager tried to have the penalty called, but I believe it was a foul tip, so it was a dead ball.
A pinch runner does not get to first base… the runner is already there
What about a balk?
Batters don’t get a base on a balk. A balk is an infraction against a runner on base, not at the plate.
Well, damn. I’ve never been a baseball fan, but I thought I at least knew the rules from the schoolyard. But when I looked it up, my mistake wasn’t even under “common misconceptions.” Thanks for being gentle with me.
I’ve heard various estimates of the number of ways a runner can score from third with two outs, but would not be able to score from second. I can only come up with six: a balk, a wild pitch, a passed ball, an infield single, a steal, or a one-base error. Is there a seventh?
There’s no reason a runner can’t score from second on a wild pitch or passed ball. It happened this year already I believe.
A bases-loaded walk?
Powers &8^]
Pickoff with the ball thrown in the stands?
I was assuming that was the passed ball. But it seems like most baseball plays could score a runner from third, even some with two outs. I’m not sure what that question is about. If it’s plays not scored as a hit, then possibly it includes fielders choice.
What about “Foreign Substance on Ball”?
I had heard from an old timer “Eleven Ways to Get to First Base:”
Hit
Walk
Hit By Pitch
Dropped 3rd Strike
Error
Ball Hits Runner
Delay of Game
Foreign Substance on Ball
Pinch Runner
Fielder’s Choice
Interference
I don’t think a foriegn substance resulting in a batter going to first base is going to be scored that way, and the batter is only going to get on first from a walk or some other play, not just because the pitcher put something on the ball.
It does appear a Fielder’s Choice can be scored when a man scores from third base. Simply attempting to put the man on third out at the plate or on third seems to be sufficient. The attempt doesn’t have to be successful for a Fielder’s Choice because it indicates the reason the batter reached first base, nothing about the attempted play on a preceding runner.
Passed balls occur, by definition, on pitches. An errant pickoff throw would be an error.