Expert: John Priest - 7/13/2008

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