passed ball

baseball

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July 20, 2026

Quick Summary

A passed ball in baseball is a pitch that the catcher fails to catch with ordinary effort, allowing a base runner to advance. This is distinct from a wild pitch, which is a pitch so errant that the catcher cannot catch it even with ordinary effort. Both situations can result in runners advancing bases, but the key difference lies in the catcher's ability to make the play. The term "passed ball" was first used in 1860.12

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baseball
The scorecard
…to catch it) or a passed ball (a pitch that should have been handled by the catcher). Members of the media and fans often choose to keep score of the game also. Official scorers and media professionals use detailed forms to record every pitch. Fans, who typically buy a simple…
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…to catch it) or a passed ball (a pitch that should have been handled by the catcher). Members of the media and fans often choose to keep score of the game also. Official scorers and media professionals use detailed forms to record every pitch. Fans, who typically buy a simple…
Read More