# How to get on first base **URL:** \ **Category:** Cecil's Columns/Staff Reports\ **Created:** [September 18, 2015, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670 "2015-09-18T13:12:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![yyyguyff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/c5a1d2/32.png) [@yyyguyff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/yyyguyff)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670/1 "2015-09-18T13:12:04Z")
Straight dope classic today [What are the five ways to get to first base without hitting the ball (revisited)? - The Straight Dope](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2348/what-are-the-five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball-revisited?dm_i=2JCR,EZ6I,2KTJOD,YQAD,1) Revisited how to reach first base safely. Ummm fielders choice and runner interference were not listed. Shouldn’t they be included? ---
**Author:** ![synergy.nc](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@synergy.nc](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/synergy.nc)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670/2 "2015-09-18T13:32:46Z")
> [@yyyguyff](#): > > Straight dope classic today [www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2348/what-are-the-five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball-revisited?dm\_i=2JCR,EZ6I,2KTJOD,YQAD,1](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/2348/what-are-the-five-ways-to-get-to-first-base-without-hitting-the-ball-revisited?dm_i=2JCR,EZ6I,2KTJOD,YQAD,1) > > Revisited how to reach first base safely. Ummm fielders choice and runner interference were not listed. Shouldn’t they be included? Hey Cecil, how about this? 1. Hit 2. Walk 3. Hit by Pitch 4. Fielder’s Choice 5. Reached on Error (includes MLB Official Rule 7.05 i) 6. Dropped Third Strike 7. Catcher’s Interference (hindering the batter while in the batter’s box) 8. Fielder’s Obstruction (hindering the batter while he is running to first base) 9. Going in as a Pinch Runner (most often in the late innings) Found at [How many ways to reach base in baseball? - Answers](http://www.answers.com/Q/How_many_ways_can_a_batter_reach_first_base) ---
**Author:** ![Julius\_Henry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/8797f3/32.png) [@Julius\_Henry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Julius_Henry)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670/3 "2015-09-18T13:44:51Z")
> [@synergy.nc](#): > > Hey Cecil, how about this? 1. Hit 2. Walk 3. Hit by Pitch 4. Fielder’s Choice 5. Reached on Error (includes MLB Official Rule 7.05 i) 6. Dropped Third Strike 7. Catcher’s Interference (hindering the batter while in the batter’s box) 8. Fielder’s Obstruction (hindering the batter while he is running to first base) 9. Going in as a Pinch Runner (most often in the late innings) > Found at [How many ways to reach base in baseball? - Answers](http://www.answers.com/Q/How_many_ways_can_a_batter_reach_first_base) The question relates to the five ways of reaching first base _WITHOUT_ hitting the ball, which eliminates 1,4,5, and 8, and brings the number back down to 5. ---
**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:** [September 18, 2015, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670/4 "2015-09-18T14:39:23Z")
> [@Julius\_Henry](#): > > The question relates to the five ways of reaching first base _WITHOUT_ hitting the ball, which eliminates 1,4,5, and 8, and brings the number back down to 5. Couldn’t Fielder’s Obstruction happen on a dropped 3rd strike? ---
**Author:** ![RaffArundel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/87869e/32.png) [@RaffArundel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaffArundel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670/5 "2015-09-18T15:56:15Z")
> [@Telemark](#): > > Couldn’t Fielder’s Obstruction happen on a dropped 3rd strike? Yes, but the \*reason \*the advance to first was allowed would be the drop, not the obstruction. In other words, the batter became eligible to run because of the dropped strike - the interference guarantees the base (I assume) but this probably can’t count as an independent way to reach first without a hit. Or, IMO not a way to reach first in itself because it requires one of the five others to happen. I vaguely recall that recently someone had 4 runs with 0 hits - but my guess is those were all intentional walks. I think I have seen all of these, except Catcher Interference. Any one have a MLB example of this happening recently? ---
**Author:** ![zimaane](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/a3d4f5/32.png) [@zimaane](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zimaane)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670/6 "2015-09-18T17:10:54Z")
You may be thinking of Bryce Harper, who scored four times in a game without getting a hit (or even swinging the bat!) > **[Bryce Harper didn’t swing Thursday yet scored four runs](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/nationals-journal/wp/2015/09/04/bryce-harper-didnt-swing-thursday-yet-scored-four-runs/)** > > He is the first player to score four times, walk four times and drive in a run. ---
**Author:** ![RaffArundel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/87869e/32.png) [@RaffArundel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RaffArundel)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670/7 "2015-09-18T17:33:10Z")
> [@zimaane](#): > > You may be thinking of Bryce Harper Yep! Thanks - I remember it being crazy, but not even swinging! ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670/8 "2015-09-18T18:21:14Z")
Large amounts of gin usually works. ---
**Author:** ![Corner\_Case](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/corner_case/32/234_2.png) [@Corner\_Case](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corner_Case)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2015, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-on-first-base/731670/9 "2015-09-18T19:16:31Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Large amounts of gin usually works. Just step up to the plate, don’t address your balls, signal your intentions, look directly in the eyes, and don’t swing at any other misses. If it’s a good play, and you hit it off, you have a chance.