2 out, bases loaded, no runs have crossed during this half inning.

 

Batter pops-up in foul territory on the first base side. The catcher EASILLY gets under the ball to make the play but the ball pops out of his mitt for a foul ball. (In fact the pitcher was also able to get there and had he been more alert he could have EASILLY caught the ball after it popped out of the catchers mitt.) On the next pitch the batter hits a triple that scores three runs, the following batter also triples and scores the runner from third. The next batter flys out to retire the side.

 

QUESTIONS

1. Is the catcher charged with an error on the dropped foul ball (remember it was EASY effort for the catcher to get under the ball and had it occurred in fair territory with any other fielder it would have no doubt been an error)? If he is would he also be charged with an error had the batter not reached base an an ensuing pitch?

 

2. Are any of the 4 runs that scored after the dropped foul ball earned?

My take.

 

1.) Yes. You can be charged with an error for dropping a ball in foul territory.

 

2.) No, they would not be earned following the error.

No, this is not considered an error. No one reached base or advanced due to the missed foul ball. All the runs are earned as long as none of them reached on an error. This is my take on the question!

I did some checking

 

An error shall be charged for each misplay (fumble, muff or wild throw) which prolongs the time at bat of a batter or which prolongs the life of a runner, or which permits a runner to advance one or more bases.

This is good but still does not say whether or not this situation would be an error. I see the bold letters but if this is true and you are keeping the book, how do you write this down in the book. I would take this to mean a ball in fair territory. The bold comment is confusing. I played baseball and hit many foul balls that were tipped by a fielder and then got a base hit. There was never an error mentioned or marked in the book, the batter simply got a hit. This is a good trivia question.

If the catcher drops it, it's an E-2 and allows the at bat to be prolonged.

Here is the answer: the runners on base are earned as long as they did not reach on an error however the batter who hit the triple, his run is not earned due to a muffed foul ball. I found this in the baseball rules.

If the catcher drops it, it's an E-2 and allows the at bat to be prolonged.

 

That is correct. And the batter can still get a hit in that at bat.

Here is the answer: the runners on base are earned as long as they did not reach on an error however the batter who hit the triple, his run is not earned due to a muffed foul ball. I found this in the baseball rules.

But had the drop not occurred none of the runs would have scored. I thought by definition an unearned run was one that only scored because of an error.

You are now asking two different questions. Your orig. post was are any of the 4 runs earned, the answer to that is yes. The first 3 are earned as long as they reached base w/out error. The one who hit the triple and then scored would not be scored as an earned run due to the muffed missed foul ball. Your last comment is correct. If a runner on third scores due to a hit ball and a wild throw to first, that is not an earned run.

 

Try this: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/official_scorer_10.jsp Look down to 10.18 Interpret it all for yourself and good luck, it is confusing.

You are now asking two different questions. Your orig. post was are any of the 4 runs earned, the answer to that is yes. The first 3 are earned as long as they reached base w/out error. The one who hit the triple and then scored would not be scored as an earned run due to the muffed missed foul ball. Your last comment is correct. If a runner on third scores due to a hit ball and a wild throw to first, that is not an earned run.

 

Try this: http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/official_scorer_10.jsp Look down to 10.18 Interpret it all for yourself and good luck, it is confusing.

 

It is not confusing IMO. The first part of it says to reconstruct the inning as if there were no errors. In this case, the 3rd out would have occurred on the popup to the catcher. No runs had scored prior to that would-be out, thus, none of the runs in this scenario are earned. Just because you get on base without aid of an error does not mean your run is earned.

As usual, I disagree w/you cshs81 and we aren't even talking football. I do not interpret it like that. If the three runners on base reached safely and then a triple occurs after the muffed foul ball, I take it those are earned and then the next triple is hit and the first triple is not earned due to the muffed foul ball. Another question to you then would be does the first triple get 3 RBI's or none?

In concur with cshs81. If the foul pop is caught, the inning is over and no runs score. When dealing with earned runs, you have to reconstruct the inning to the point where the third out should have occurred. Any runs past that point are unearned.

As usual, I disagree w/you cshs81 and we aren't even talking football. I do not interpret it like that. If the three runners on base reached safely and then a triple occurs after the muffed foul ball, I take it those are earned and then the next triple is hit and the first triple is not earned due to the muffed foul ball. Another question to you then would be does the first triple get 3 RBI's or none?

 

Trust me on this one, my friend. The runs are not earned. What would have happened if the error had not occured? The inning would have been over with no runs scored, THUS, the resulting runs are unearned.

 

Yes, rbis are awarded.

I thought MLB rules were different then high school rules. Not meaning to argue but this happened today in JV game and I was asked how to score it.

 

I said that since the batter reached base then he was given a triple while an error was also charged to the catcher. I also said that since none of the runs would have scored had the catch been made because it would have been the third out. Since the National Federation doesn't put their rule book online I can't check.