What are the ways to get to first base?

Question

I know this question has been asked and answered several times, but there is a new ESPn book called "23 Ways to Get to First Base: The ESPN Uncyclopedia" (http://www.amazon.com/Ways-Get-First-Base-Uncyclopedia/dp/1933060107/ref=sr_1_2/102-5281495-3520913?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1180985506&sr=8-2), so there are officially 23 ways to get to first base.

Here is my list:
1. Single
2. Double
3. Triple
4. HR
(I believe each hit is seperate because you technically got to 1b on any of the 4 hits)
5. Error
6. Walk
7. Strikeout (Passed Ball)
8. Fielder's choice
9. Double play (ex. -bases loaded, no out; get runners at home and third)
10. pinch-runner (you got to 1B from the bench)
11. Interference
12. Intentional walk (could be different - technically)

Anyone else??? But there are supposed to be 23!

(BTW, I will buy the book, so please do not respond with that answer)

Answer 1

Some of these are a little redundant, but I guess the argument could be made that there are 23 ways to get there:

1) base hit,
2) base-on-balls
3) fan interference (rules 3.16 and 3.15),
4) fan obstruction (rule 4.09-exception),
5) 4 illegal pitches resulting in a base on balls (rules 8.01d and 2.00 "quick return"),
6) failure to deliver pitch within 20 seconds resulting in base on balls (rule 8.04),
7) intentional base on balls (rule 4.03),
8) hit by pitch (rule 6.08b),
9) catcher interference (rule 6.08c),
10) fielder interference (rule 6.08c),
11) fair ball touches umpire (rule 6.08d),
12) obstruction of runner (rules 2.00 and 7.06),
13) fair ball touches runner (rule 6.08d),
14) dropped strike three (rule 6.09b),
15) substitute runner (rule 3.03 and 5.10c),
16) suspended game resumed later- player trade- player substitution (rules 3.03, 4.12 and 4.12d),
17) fielder's choice- non force out (rule 2.00
and 10.06d),
18)fielder's choice- force out (rule 10.06a),
19) preceding runner called out on appeal (rule 10.06b),
20) preceding runner put-out allows batter/runner to reach first (rule 10.06c),
21) attempted sac bunt fails to advance runner (rule 10.09c),
22) sac fly dropped (rule 10.06e),
23) error (rule 10.13).

Answer 2

Well, because ESPN says it must be so, ESPN must be right, right?

No.

The ESPN list (http://espn.go.com/magazine/vol4no10answerguy.html) has a whole host of mistakes:

(1) Failure to deliver a pitch within 20 seconds will not get the batter to first unless the automatic ball happens to be Ball 4, in which case the batter gets a walk.

(2) A walk and intentional walk are the same.

(3) Catcher's interference and fielder's interference are the same thing: interference.

(4) Spectator interference won't get you to first, either; your base hit before the interference is what got you on base. The interference just determines where you'll end up.

(5) Fair balls hitting a runner or umpire are base hits, so we can throw this out.

(6) Fielder's choice and force out at another base are both a fielder's choice.

I'm not even going to bother to go through the whole list. It is one of the worst pieces of sports writing I've read, speaking as both a journalist myself and an umpire.

There are not 23 ways.

The ways are:

(1) Base hit
(2) Base on balls
(3) Hit batsman
(4) Error
(5) Fielder's choice
(6) Interference
(7) Obstruction
(8) Wild pitch (uncaught third strike)
(9) Passed ball (uncaught third strike)

And if you're a smart-butt, "pinch-runner."

Oh, and can we please get this right once and for all: A balk never results in the batter being awarded first base.

Answer 3

That link has all the ways, it even lists the "23 ways" but also has explanations that put those into the normal categories, which are.

1) Hit
2) Fielder's Choice
3) Reached on an error
4) Dropped third strike
5) Hit by pitch
6) Walk
7) Catcher's interference

Answer 4

A pre nup is like trying to make a baby...wearing a condom. I understand feeling burned, and nervous...but the whole pre nup thing is like saying "You're really wonderful, but on the off chance that you're actually a gold digger, sign this." How about this...don't marry the woman. She may really want it, but if you need that sort of insurance, then obviously you don't want to marry. I'm a married woman. We've been together for more than 30 years. There's more to lose when you marry then your "stuff". You can lose your heart...and that you never get back.

Answer 5

1. single
2. double
3. triple
4. home run
5. walk
6. error
7. dropped third strike
8. hit by pitch
9. fielder's choice
10. pinch runner
11. interference
12. intentional walk
13. fielders choice double play
14. single with a put out at another base
15. double with a put out at another base
16. triple with a put out at home
(these last three mean the batter gets a hit but while advancing to another base is tagged out)
17. Balk with empty bases (little known and enforced rule)


thats all i got

Answer 6

I've always found the best way to get to 1st base was to bring flowers.

The book is supposed to be good. If the Sports Guy says it, it must be true.

Answer 7

here