Is it an error for a fielder to drop a foul ball if the batter never reaches base?

Question

This came up during a game when a catcher dropped a foul ball that hit off his mitt. The batter never reached base, but he still wanted to give the catcher an error.

Answer 1

Yes, it is. It falls under Rule 10.12, 2A, which states that:

(a) The official scorer shall charge an error against any fielder: (2) when such fielder muffs a foul fly to prolong the time at bat of a batter, whether the batter subsequently reaches first base or is put out.

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/official_scorer_10.jsp

The only exception to this rule would be a fielder purposely allowing a foul ball to drop, in order to prevent a runner from tagging up to score - eg. an outfielder allowing a foul to fall with one out and the go-ahead/winning run on third. In that case, it's up to the discretion of the scorer to decide (10.12 A1).

Answer 2

If it was possible for the catcher to make a clean catch and he didn't do so, yes. Actually, this also applies to all infielders and the corner outfields as well. (No centre fielder has THAT much range.)

The idea of charging an error is that the batter or runner would have been out if the ball had been handled cleanly. In this case, not only was it not handled cleanly, but it means that the batter is still "alive" at the plate, and the pitcher has to throw additional pitches. If the batter does reach subsequent to that error, and then scores, it's an unearned run, simply because he should have been retired at the plate.

I'll go one step further, though. Say this happened with two out and the bases loaded. If the batter comes back after been erroneously given that second "life" and hits a HR, all 4 runs are unearned.

It's 10.12 of the rulebook.

Answer 3

i'm no longer the Bob who made this asinine fact: "no it really is not any longer an mistakes because once you're thinking the infield fly rule, that states that if there's a stress play at third or residing house ANY honest flyball which will be stuck by technique of an infielder with common attempt the batter is out no count number what. so if he drops it the batters out and he would not get an mistakes, because the batters out (you won't be able to get an mistakes in case you get the batter out are you able to?)" initially. study the thanks to examine. The question had to do with a nasty pop up. And there will be no Infield Fly rule on a nasty ball. 10.13 a) An mistakes will be charged adversarial to any fielder at the same time as he muffs a nasty fly, to delay the time at bat of a batter no matter if the batter therefore reaches first base or is placed out. Bob (the guy who's conscious of the regulations)

Answer 4

YES:

10.12 Errors
An error is a statistic charged against a fielder whose action has assisted the team on offense, as set forth in this Rule 10.12.
(a) The official scorer shall charge an error against any fielder:
(1) whose misplay (fumble, muff or wild throw) prolongs the time at bat of a batter, prolongs the presence on the bases of a runner or permits a runner to advance one or more bases, unless, in the judgment of the official scorer, such fielder deliberately permits a foul fly to fall safe with a runner on third base before two are out in order that the runner on third shall not score after the catch;

(2) when such fielder muffs a foul fly to prolong the time at bat of a batter, whether the batter subsequently reaches first base or is put out;

The misplay has prolonged the time at bat of the batter. Score it E-2. It's stated in (1), and re-stated in (2).

Answer 5

If the catcher dropped a foul tip, that would be cruel and unusual punishment. If it was a foul popup, and a play that SHOULD have been made, then yes it can be scored an error. Even if the batter struck out on the very next pitch.

Answer 6

It depends - if you rely on the rules only, without having seen the situation.
Regardless of the situation, if it is not a routine play, then no it is not. A simple pop-up, to a fielder who isn't sprinting to the ball, if he drops it - it's an error. If a player is diving for a line drive and it hits off his mitt - if you read the rules, it's an error, but in reality it is not.
And as a catcher, I can assure you it is an uncommon situation for a pop-up to be routine. So most likely, no. But, it depends. You can't just give someone an error because you want to punish them.

Answer 7

Yes, if it was a catchable ball like a popup. It is the official scorers decision. Basically by dropping the ball the catcher allowed the batter to continue with his at bat.

Answer 8

Yes, because you are expected to catch it, and it costs your team an out. I remember Juan Uribe once dropped a foul pop-up with two outs. It counted as an error, and Manny Ramirez hit a home run on the next pitch. Because it was an error, the run was unearned.

Answer 9

It is an error if it prolongs the batters time at bat. It does not matter if he reaches base or not. The fielder, by not making the play, has given the batter an opportunity to reach base. Thant constitutes an error.

Answer 10

Alex Rodriguez dropped a foul ball in one of the first games of 2007 and they called it a error. I don't think they should but I'm pretty sure it counts as one.