How many ways can you reach first base safely?

Question

Start with the obvious (base hit) and work your way up from there. The best answer goes to the one that can name the most.

Hint: There are at least 12 ways.

I am dumbfounded that anyone should down-thumb several of the respondents. Anyway, when I combine certain categories, I get ten ways to reach first base safely. Nobody ever gets number 10, and most people forget pinch running.

Thanks for playing.

Note 1: When the pitcher balks, only the runners get to advance (and possibly scoring a run). The batter stays at the plate.

Note 2: The umpire is a part of the field, and play is not otherwise affected by him being hit by a ball.

Note 3: Failure to pitch and illegal pitches both result in called balls (and possibly a walk), so I combined these.

1. Hit 2. Walk (intentional or otherwise) 3. Interference (player, umpire or fan) 4. Hit by pitch 5. Pinch running 6. Stealing first (dropped 3rd strike) 7. Batted ball hits runner with fewer than 2 outs (runner is out, ball is dead) 8. Fielder's choice 9. Error 10. Defensive indifference.

All of the other answers (except those covered by my notes, above) are variations of these ten.

Answer 1

1. Walk
2. Intentional walk
3. Hit by pitch
4. Dropped third strike
5. Failure to deliver pitch within 20 seconds
6. Catcher interference
7. Fielder interference
8. Spectator interference
9. Fan obstruction
10. Fair ball hits umpire
11. Fair ball hits runner
12. Fielder obstructs runner
13. Pinch-runner
14. Fielder's choice
15. Force out at another base
16. Preceding runner put-out allows batter to reach first
17. Sacrifice bunt fails to advance runner
18. Sacrifice fly dropped
19. Runner called out on appeal
20. Error
21. Four illegal pitches
22. If a game is suspended with a runner on first and that player is traded prior to the makeup, another player can take his place
23. Hit

Answer 2

1. Get A single. 2. Walk 3. Hit By Pitch 4. Reach On An Error. 5. Beats Throw On Dropped Third Strike 6. Fielders Choice

Answer 3

(1) Base hit (2) Walk (3) Pitcher balk (4) Fielder's choice (5) Defensive error (6) If the batter can reach first before the pitcher can get the ball there on a dropped 3rd strike (7) Hit batsman (8) catcher's balk-with men on base the catcher does not get back to catcher's box before receiving a pitch, (9) catcher's interference with batsman.
These are the only legal ways. There are some other ways people think the batter should be awarded first base, but they are not used.

Answer 4

You can reach first base safely the following ways:
1. A base hit
2. You can reach on an error
3. You can be hit by a pitch
4. You can be walked by the pitcher
5. The catcher can drop the 3rd strike and if you reach first before the throw you will be safe.
6. Fielders choice (I believe if we are going by official scorer's rules)
7. Catcher's interference
8. Fielder's interference

Answer 5

Walk, intentional walk, hit by pitch, dropped third strike, failure to deliver pitch within 20 seconds, catcher interference, fielder interference, spectator interference, fan obstruction ... isn't that ... fair ball hits umpire, fair ball hits runner, fielder obstructs runner, pinch-runner, fielder's choice, force out at another base ... aren't those ... preceding runner put-out allows batter to reach first, sac bunt fails to advance runner, sac fly dropped, runner called out on appeal ... wait, which ... error, four illegal pitches, and if a game is suspended with a runner on first and that player is traded prior to the makeup, another player can take his place. That's only 22. Oh, right. Single. Borrring. John Thorn, co-editor, Total Baseball: Two players stole first, Germany Schaefer in 1907 and Fred Tenney around 1900, but they did it from second. The idea was to induce a throw so the runner on third could score. Tricky. I suppose, but it didn't work. And now it's illegal. Pity. You know, Ned Cuthbert of the Philadelphia Keystones invented the stolen base in 1865. Rapscallion. Baseball was primarily intended to provoke mirth. Verily. The main amusement was not to hit lusty blows, but the exposition of spry fielding and nimble baserunning. Huzzah! So credit for a steal was based on pluck, like taking an extra base or stretching a single.

Answer 6

Hit, walk, IBB, error, dropped third strike, hit by pitch, fielder's choice, catcher's interference, hitting the base runner w/ a ground ball grants the batter the base,

Answer 7

well, there is the obvious the base hit

you have the walk, the intentional walk, throwing error, and hit by a pitch

Answer 8

being put into the game as a pinch runner

Answer 9

run

Answer 10

everyone forgot about the balk!