Expert: Ed Spindler - 7/29/2008

Question
QUESTION: If a batter hits a pop up in foul territory and let's say the firstbaseman should have easily caught the ball but does not. The ball pops out of the glove and the ball hits the ground. I assume the fielder is given an error. Does the error stay on the scorecard if that same batter is retired on the next pitch or that same at bat?
If the error stands, then it is possible to pitch a perfect game by retiring 27 batters with none reaching base while at the same time, your team mate committed an error. So,you can pitch a perfect game with your team committing an error. Please tell me what the correct ruling would be.

ANSWER: Kim...
The error stays on the books even if the hitter is retired following the dropped fould pop.
Yes, you can pitch a perfect game in the scenario you presented.  All the factors that must be present to record a perfect game are in place.
By the way...great question(s)!!!

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: If a batter hits a home run with a runner on base and the batter passes the other base runner, how is this ruled?
Second part to this question. If the batter passes the runner but does not step on the next base in front of the runner he passed, does the ruling change.
I think Harvey Haddix pitched a perfect game thru 12 innings while pitching for the Pittsburgh Pirates and in the 13th inning, someone from the Milwaukee Braves homered but passed  the base runner and was only given a single. Somehow, an out was given, and a run was scored. Does it matter how many outs based on this situation in order to have a run scored.

Answer
In part one...
The batter is declared out for passing a runner. He is awarded a single if the runner was on first, a double if he was on second, etc.
The runner is allowed to score since the home run is an awarded base, but the batter is out the second he passes the baserunner.

Part two...
The outs don't matter.  Even if there were two outs when the homer was hit, the runner would be awarded home.  Of course, the manager would undoubtedly go "berserk" thinking that the run wouldn't count since there were now 3 outs, but as usual, the umpire would be correct in counting the run.