Throwing Error or Catching Error
Question
If an infielder (15-16 y-old's) picks-up a ground ball at shortstop which is otherwise a regular routine play and then on-hops it to the 1st baseman in perfect line, but is missed by the 1st baseman, is this an error on the infielder or the 1st baseman. I understand that a clearly wild throw is an error to the infielder. However, I am not sure whether or not an infielder should be charged with an error for a basic one hopper to 1st? Afterall, anyone should be able to catch a chest high ball to first.
Thank you, Mike K
Thanks,
Answer
Mike,
I am really not sure on the ruling of this, I would think that it is more of a judgement call from whom ever is scoring the game. The play was routine for both the shortstop and the firstbaseman. The only thing I can relate this to is a past ball on a catcher. On a routine ball in the dirt that a catcher misses is a past ball on the catcher not a wild pitch on the pitcher. If I was scoring the game I would give the error to the firstbaseman is the hop was a big easy hop, if not the shortstop would get it.
Thank You,
John Priest
Senior league All Star Tournaments
umpires