Wild pitch versus passed ball

[MNDad]

It varies widely by sanction. NCAA definition is much different than the others regarding pitches in the dirt. NFHS and others depend on where the ball hits the ground.

in general at least 75% of the time it’s a WP. Stats prior to college seldom show that because pitcher parents keep score far more often than catchers.

 

[wheresmycar]

If it's in the dirt, it's a WP.

I've argued this with DD's team's scorekeeper. DD is a pitcher, scorekeeper's kid is a catcher. If coach calls for a pitch in the dirt, and DD bounces it, and C doesn't block it, he'll call it a passed ball every time. He believes that if the catcher is expecting a pitch in the dirt and DD puts the ball where it's called, then there's no excuse for the catcher to let the ball past her. I disagree, but I'll never win with him when it comes to his kid.

The catcher's father recognizes if those drop balls in the dirt are getting past the catcher, it won't matter how they are scored, when she is watching the game from the bench.

 

[Josh Greer]

As a catcher father who generally keeps the book, if the ball is in the dirt because that's what the catcher called, it had better be caught. I understand the general rules of book keeping but take liberties on occasion.

 

[radness]

+ 1
about a year ago we had a very similar thread. Someone was arguing that it was ordinary effort for a catcher to cleanly pick a bounced pitch.

Its routine for some catchers to field dirt pitches!

 

[uncdrew]

It if bounces it's a WP. It's like a throw from in IF to first. Now that doesn't mean I don't blame the C for not blocking of think the 1B should scoop the throw but it still on the thrower.

Interesting.

I like a cut and dry rule for it, and like how it jives with throws to 1B.

 

[radness]

There are times want the pitch in the dirt.
Example
Sharp drop. (not deep into zone)
Change up.

There are times defensive players are purposely bouncing throws.

 

[eagle6]

Nothing better as a pitcher's dad than to see a good catcher working! I have no problem with a catcher not being able to cleanly pick a ball in the dirt. I do believe that very few pitches should get by even a decent catcher if they are blocking. I hate to see catchers oh-lay a ball in the dirt with a runner on third because they want to scoop and throw behind her. Catchers have to WANT to block the ball. Catchers will get you more or cost you more close calls than most parents realize.

 

[CMMom1740]

Nothing better as a pitcher's dad than to see a good catcher working! I have no problem with a catcher not being able to cleanly pick a ball in the dirt. I do believe that very few pitches should get by even a decent catcher if they are blocking. I hate to see catchers oh-lay a ball in the dirt with a runner on third because they want to scoop and throw behind her. Catchers have to WANT to block the ball. Catchers will get you more or cost you more close calls than most parents realize.

But when the ball drops into the dirt three feet in front of the plate, it's hard to block. I've seen that happen plenty of times. Or when the riseball rises to 6 feet above her head.

 

[radness]

If the pitch is in the dirt with runners on...
And catcher blocks to have ball hit her...
And runner steals...

How then to determine the play?
Block blocked it but runner advanced.
is it a WP & an error because runner stole on the catcher?!
Or?
Just making a point that
imo
There certainly is an expectation, that while some pitches may go in the dirt,
REGARDLESS of catchers mechanics to the dirt pitch,
runners should NOT be able to steal!
(Sayin' just because pitch goes in dirt not automatic free base)

How and where pitch bounces, similar to short hop or outfielders throw, can be either handled or cause a problem WP.
There can be an expectation to make/finish the play with pitches/ throws in the dirt !

 

[erniekru]

Is there a concensus about this? Obviously anything uncatchable -- over the head, wide on either side, pitch hits the bull -- are wild pitches. But what about the pitch that hits the plate, or the ground at the catcher's mitt? What's the assumption about a pitch outside of the strike zone that's the difference between wild and passed?

I'm coming in to the thread late.. DD is a catcher. In my opinion, it is a sliding scale according to the age of the players. Way more lenient on the catchers when they're young (<1st year 12).. 2nd year twelves, any ball in front of the catcher needs to be kept in front. Any side movement more than a couple inches required by the catcher is WP. 14's and up, one foot on each side of the plate and up to the batters head needs to be kept in front or Passed Ball.