Definition: A passed ball is a play where the catcher fails to catch or stop a pitch that they should have been able to handle with ordinary effort. Because the ball gets past the catcher and rolls away, any runners on base are allowed to advance to the next base at their own risk.
A passed ball is different from a “wild pitch.” If the pitcher throws the ball so poorly that the catcher can’t reach it, it’s the pitcher’s fault. But if the pitch is right in the catcher’s glove and they simply drop it or let it go between their legs, it is recorded as a passed ball. This is often a mental mistake or a brief lapse in focus, and it can be very costly if it allows a runner to score from third base.
Example: The runner on second base easily reached third after the catcher fumbled a standard fastball for a passed ball.
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