Guystalktime  

Here’s an example of the never-ending discussions that baseball fosters, this one on how many ways a batter can get to first base.  Call in at 646-929-0231 and give us an opinion!

1. Hit

2. Walk

3. Hit by Pitch

4. Fielder's Choice

5. Reached on Error (includes MLB Official Rule 7.05 i)

6. Dropped Third Strike

7. Catcher's Interference (hindering the batter while in the batter's box)

8. Fielder's Obstruction (hindering the batter while he is running to first base)

Some other suggestions:

• Runner's Interference (batted ball hits a runner in fair territory. The runner is out, and the batter is awarded a hit). This is not a separate item in the list since it's included as a Hit.

• Entering game as a pinch runner (not included because the question seems focused on the batter reaching first base).

• Certain illegal pitching actions are penalized by adding a ball to the count. This may result in a walk, which is already on the list.

Discussion

There are exactly eight ways, as stated above. Other methods listed in this discussion (see below) are incorrect, in that they either do not apply, or are an incorrect double-counting of a way to reach base. Here are some of those incorrect answers, with commentary:

A) Inserted as a pinch-runner
Come on, that's not what the question is about. It's "How does a BATTER reach base?"

B) 7.05(h) wild pickoff throw into the stands
Does not affect batter.

C) 7.05(h) wild pitch that goes into the stands
Does not affect batter unless the pitch is Ball Four or Strike Three. If ball four, batter reaches on a walk. If strike three, batter reaches on a dropped third strike. Either way, this situation is already covered.

D) 7.05(i) pitch lodges in umpire's equipment
Same rules apply here as in the example D above: if a pitched ball gets past the catcher and lodges in his equipment, it must have been a wild pitch or passed ball to even get to the catcher, and that is what is is considered. "Umpire's Interference" is different, and it only applies when the umpire impedes the catcher while he is making a throw, and in no case can such a ruling cause the batter to be awarded first base.