Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 8/16/2006

Question
Yes, thanks! Does a FC count as a plus or minus for OBP?
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Followup To

Question -
I haven't seen your answer to this question about the dropped third strike. The batter strikes out, but the ball gets past the catcher. The batter beats the throw to 1B. In the scorebook it is recorded as a K-PB or K-WP.

My question is what is this considered for the batter's plate appearance? It can't be a strikeout as he didn't make an out. It isn't a hit either. It should count for OBP, shouln't it?

Answer -
Tony,

It is actually scored as a K error on the catcher.

It counts as a 0 for 1 in terms of batting average and on base percentage.  Any time a player reaches on an error, they don't get credit for a positive act with regards to their stats.

Hope this helps!

Brian

Answer
Tony,

It does count as a strikeout - for the hitter as well as for the pitcher.  That's why the major league record for strikeouts in an inning by a pitcher is 4!  It has happened quite a few times and the reason is that the pitcher strikes out 3 batters and the fourth strikeout is a K - reached on an error by the catcher.

That's the rule - maybe it doesn't make sense, but that's what they do.

Hope this helps!

Brian