Guideline: Always ask, "Does the fielder deserve an error?" When answering
always give benefit of the doubt to the hitter.
An error is charged
1. For each miscue/physical mistake, including fielding, wild throws, and missed catches of good throws, which prolongs the life of a batter, the life of a runner or which permits a runner to advance, including a dropped foul fly unless it was dropped intentionally to prevent a runner from advancing.
a - Receiving a throw or fielding a ground ball and not stepping on the base or not touching the player is an error on the fielder.
b - A single error is charged even if more than one base advance is gained as a result of it.
c - A wild throw in the dirt which hits a base or pitching rubber, a runner, an umpire or a fielder is an error on the thrower if a runner(s) advances.
d - An error is charged when an unnecessary throw allows a runner to advance.
e - An error is charged on a throw to a base where more than one fielder could have received a throw and neither did; charge the error to the fielder who should have received it.
f - An error is charged to any fielder committing interference or obstruction where an additional base is gained even if it is a different runner advancing to another base away from where the obstruction
occurred. (i.e., Runners on first and third; fly ball to right, right fielder concedes run and throws to second base for a sure out there, meanwhile the third base runner collides with the pitcher, who is in
the baseline to home. Prior to making the tag for the sure out at second, the shortstop throws home and the catcher tags the third base runner chit. Call obstruction on the pitcher, score the runner and
score an error for the pitcher, since the first base runner advanced safely to second base because of her obstruction.
g - Merely fielding a ball too slowly is not an error.
h - A mental error is not recorded as an error.
i - Do not assume a perfect throw by the catcher in a pick-off or steal attempt. Even if the throw is wild, no error is recorded unless the baserunner advances an additional base as a result of the overthrow.
j - No error is charged on a wild throw in a rundown which allows a runner to return safely to her original base.
k - If a wild throw or dropped catch would not have been in time to cause an out, no error is charged unless an additional base is gained.
l - A wild throw, In an attempt to make a second or third out of a double or triple play is not recorded as an error unless a runner gets an additional base. A dropped ball by the receiver in this situation is credited as an error.
m - No error is charged if an out is made on that immediate play, even if it changes the option of getting a lead out to getting an out behind the lead runner.
n - No error is charged on a misplay if the ball is lost in the sun or lights, windblown, or if the fielder slips and falls, even if contact with the ball is made.
o - No error is charged when a ball is misplayed that was hit so hard more than ordinary effort is needed to play the ball. If the ball goes in the pocket of the glove and then Is dropped, score an error if an out would have been made without the drop, except as noted in q.
[highlight]p - No error is charged if a fly ball is misjudged and the fielder can't recover in time to field it in good position.[/highlight]
q - No error is charged if the fielder drops a ball after running a considerable distance to catch it, or if she fails in her attempt to catch it while running at a high rate of speed.
r - No error is charged on a dropped line drive if the fielder moved more than a few steps to catch it.
s - Throwing to a wrong base is a mental mistake and is not charged as an error.
t - A runner reaching first base safely as a result of a dropped third strike is scored as either a wild pitch or passed ball, not an error, unless the ball is picked up in time that an accurate throw or catch
would have resulted in an out.
u - No error is charged if other runners advance on a dropped third strike when the batter is out. No error is charged when the batter is not out. A passed ball or wild pitch is charged.
V - illegal pitches, wild pitches, passed balls or hit batters are not recorded as errors, even if more than one base is gained from the initial misplay.
w - Consider the distance of the mound from the plate and what the pitcher's primary duty is. If she mishandles a sharply batted ball, do not credit her with an error. You may credit her with an error on a
mishandled slow roller, bunt, or wild throw.
x - If two fielders are running to field a fly ball, one catches it and the second one hits her and causes her to drop it, credit the error to the player who collided with the player who initially caught the ball.
y - Score an error on the thrower when an otherwise good throw hits a runner, umpire or bat.
z - If a baseplayer makes it to within three feet of the base on a force out, and neglects to touch the base when the throw was in time, charge an error on the baseplayer receiving the good throw.
