What makes an error in baseball

Players can make errors at any level: major league , college, high school, and even Little League though coaches don't usually keep such statistics for young kids. They don't necessarily affect the score of the game, but as you might expect, such mistakes often result in runs that would not have been scored otherwise.

Errors are also a central part of a player's fielding statistics. Too many of these miscues may cause a fielder to lose his starting position on the team, but a low number of errors could lead to a special recognition or award, like the Gold Glove Award for defensive excellence in the major leagues.

I've always known what an error is, but what impressed me when writing this article is how many different ways you can commit one. Bobbling a grounder, dropping a pop fly, overthrowing the first baseman -- even rolling the ball to the pitcher's mound when you think there are three outs and there are only two. Then, as if the embarrassment of making such mistakes in front of a crowd isn't enough, the name "error" only serves to reinforce the fact that you really messed up.

It's a good thing I didn't think like this when I played Little League or I would have spent a lot less time having fun and a lot more time crying. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. The Basics. What's an error in baseball? Daniel Descalso of the St. Peak Performance. June 22, by Arnold Bloom. June 10, by Sophia Smith.

May 17, by Arnold Bloom. April 20, by Sophia Smith. March 23, by Arnold Bloom. March 12, by Sophia Smith. February 22, by Sophia Smith. February 1, by Sophia Smith. Follow Us On Twitter Tweets by sprtspsychology.

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The Official Scorer shall not charge an error if the pitcher fails to cover first base on a play, thereby allowing a batter-runner to reach first base safely. The Official Scorer shall not charge an error to a fielder who incorrectly throws to the wrong base on a play. On such a play, when the Official Scorer charges an error to the interfering fielder, the Official Scorer shall not charge an error to the fielder with whom the other fielder interfered.

The Official Scorer shall apply this rule even when it appears to be an injustice to a fielder whose throw was accurate. For example, the Official Scorer shall charge an error to an outfielder whose accurate throw to second base hits the base and caroms back into the outfield, thereby permitting a runner or runners to advance, because every base advanced by a runner must be accounted for.

If such throw was made to second base, the Official Scorer shall determine whether it was the duty of the second baseman or the shortstop to stop the ball and shall charge an error to the negligent fielder. The Official Scorer shall not charge an error if obstruction does not change the play, in the opinion of the scorer.

When a fielder muffs a thrown ball that, if held, would have completed a double play or triple play, the Official Scorer shall charge an error to the fielder who drops the ball and credit an assist to the fielder who made the throw.