# five ways to get to first base without hitting the ball **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [May 13, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265 "2013-05-13T21:43:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RichH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/73ab20/32.png) [@RichH](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RichH)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/1 "2013-05-13T21:43:18Z")
“Get to first” implies-to me-that the runner has himself earned the base due to some event while at bat. ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2013, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/2 "2013-05-13T23:48:40Z")
Candy is dandy, but liquor is quicker. ---
**Author:** ![Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spectre_of_pithecanthropus/32/12343_2.png) [@Spectre\_of\_Pithecanthropus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spectre_of_Pithecanthropus)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/3 "2013-05-14T00:10:27Z")
Obligatory [link](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/265/what-are-5-ways-to-get-to-1st-without-hitting-the-ball) to the column. ---
**Author:** ![Ethilrist](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ethilrist/32/4604_2.png) [@Ethilrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ethilrist)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 12:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/4 "2013-05-14T00:16:31Z")
I thought it was possible to steal first? Not likely, but possible… ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/5 "2013-05-14T15:40:12Z")
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](http://jsonline.sportsdirectinc.com/baseball/mlb-boxscores.aspx?page=/data/MLB/results/2013/boxscore355676.html) Here’s a description: > **[Brewers' winning streak hits five games](https://archive.jsonline.com/sports/brewers/brewers-winning-streak-hits-five-games-8h9kf7n-203881421.html/)** > > Buoyed by a four-run first inning and a strong finish by the bullpen in support of scuffling starter Marco Estrada, the Brewers ran their winning streak to five games Friday night by beating the Chicago Cubs, 5-4, at Miller Park. ---
**Author:** ![OldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/3bc359/32.png) [@OldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldGuy)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/6 "2013-05-14T15:46:21Z")
> [@RichH](#): > > “Get to first” implies-to me-that the runner has himself earned the base due to some event while at bat. 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. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 14, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/7 "2013-05-14T15:52:12Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Old\_Blue\_Eyes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e480ec/32.png) [@Old\_Blue\_Eyes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Old_Blue_Eyes)\ **Post date:** [May 15, 2013, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/8 "2013-05-15T17:04:38Z")
According to the rules: > **[official\_baseball\_rules.pdf](https://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2013/official_baseball_rules.pdf)** > > 43 B 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. ---
**Author:** ![elkram](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e274bd/32.png) [@elkram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elkram)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/9 "2013-05-17T23:04:55Z")
A pinch runner does not get to first base… the runner is already there ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 11:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/10 "2013-05-17T23:20:13Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > 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. What about a balk? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 17, 2013, 11:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/11 "2013-05-17T23:26:11Z")
> [@TonySinclair](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/12 "2013-05-18T00:47:04Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![f.coli](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/eada6e/32.png) [@f.coli](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/f.coli)\ **Post date:** [May 18, 2013, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/13 "2013-05-18T23:11:14Z")
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? ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/14 "2013-05-20T00:08:23Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Powers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@Powers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Powers)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/15 "2013-05-20T22:35:53Z")
> [@f.coli](#): > > 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? A bases-loaded walk? Powers &8^] ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2013, 3:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/16 "2013-05-23T15:17:57Z")
> [@f.coli](#): > > 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? Pickoff with the ball thrown in the stands? ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2013, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/17 "2013-05-23T21:09:50Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > 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. ---
**Author:** ![inept](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e274bd/32.png) [@inept](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/inept)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/18 "2013-05-24T01:50:21Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/19 "2013-05-24T03:28:04Z")
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. > [@Official Rules: 8.00 The Pitcher](#): > > 8.02 > The pitcher shall not – > (a) (1) Bring his pitching hand in contact with his mouth or lips while in the 18 foot circle surrounding the pitching rubber. EXCEPTION: Provided it is agreed to by both managers, the umpire prior to the start of a game played in cold weather, may permit the pitcher to blow on his hand. > PENALTY: For violation of this part of this rule the umpires shall immediately call a ball. However, if the pitch is made and a batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a hit batsman or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. Repeated offenders shall be subject to a fine by the league president. > (2) expectorate on the ball, either hand or his glove; > (3) rub the ball on his glove, person or clothing; > (4) apply a foreign substance of any kind to the ball; > (5) deface the ball in any manner; or > (6) deliver a ball altered in a manner prescribed by Rule 8.02(a)(2) through (5) or what is called the “shine” ball, “spit” ball, “mud” ball or “emery” ball. The pitcher is allowed to rub the ball between his bare hands. > PENALTY: For violation of any part of Rules 8.02(a)(2) through (6) > (a) the pitcher shall be ejected immediately from the game and shall be suspended automatically. In National Association Leagues, the automatic suspension shall be for 10 games. > (b) If a play follows the violation called by the umpire, the manager of the team at bat may advise the plate umpire-in-chief that he elects to accept the play. Such election shall be made immediately at the end of the play. However, if the batter reaches first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batsman, or otherwise, and no other runner is put out before advancing at least one base, the play shall proceed without reference to the violation. > (c) Even though the team at bat elects to take the play, the violation shall be recognized and the penalties in subsection (a) will still be in effect. > (d) If the manager of the team at bat does not elect to accept the play, the umpire-inchief shall call an automatic ball and, if there are any runners on base, a balk. > (e) The umpire shall be sole judge on whether any portion of this rule has been violated. 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. > [@Official Rules: 2.00 Definition of Terms](#): > > FIELDER’S CHOICE is the act of a fielder who handles a fair grounder and, instead of throwing to first base to put out the batter-runner, throws to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner. The term is also used by scorers (a) to account for the advance of the batter-runner who takes one or more extra bases when the fielder who handles his safe hit attempts to put out a preceding runner; (b) to account for the advance of a runner (other than by stolen base or error) while a fielder is attempting to put out another runner; and (c) to account for the advance of a runner made solely because of the defensive team’s indifference (undefended steal). ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2013, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265/20 "2013-05-24T14:37:01Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I was assuming that was the passed ball. Passed balls occur, by definition, on pitches. An errant pickoff throw would be an error. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball/658265.md?page=2)