In Major League Baseball, fans often wonder whether a wild pitch should count as an error. The short answer is no — a wild pitch is not scored as an error. While both result in runners advancing, they are completely different statistics with separate meanings in official scoring.
What Is a Wild Pitch?
A wild pitch occurs when a legally thrown ball is so high, low, or wide that the catcher cannot stop or control it with ordinary effort — and at least one baserunner advances. In simple terms, if the pitch is too difficult for the catcher to handle and a runner moves up a base, it’s ruled a wild pitch.
If the ball gets away from the catcher but no runner advances, it’s not scored as a wild pitch. Instead, it’s simply a ball or strike depending on the count.
What Counts as an Error?
An error is charged when a fielder misplays a ball that should have been handled with ordinary effort, and that mistake allows a batter or runner to advance. Errors usually involve infielders, outfielders, or catchers mishandling a throw or ground ball — not the pitcher’s delivery.
Why a Wild Pitch Is Not an Error
- Different Responsibility – A wild pitch is considered the pitcher’s fault, not a fielder’s mistake. It’s recorded as a pitching statistic, not a defensive one.
- Rule Distinction – The official rules clearly separate wild pitches and errors. Scorers never record a wild pitch as an error.
- Earned Runs – Runs that score on wild pitches are considered earned because the pitcher is responsible. Errors, by contrast, lead to unearned runs.
- Scoring Consistency – Wild pitches are judged based on the quality of the throw, while errors are judged by whether a fielder failed to make a routine play.
Passed Ball vs. Wild Pitch
A passed ball looks similar but is different in one key way: the catcher is judged to have had a reasonable chance to stop the pitch with ordinary effort. If a runner advances on a passed ball, it’s charged to the catcher, not the pitcher.
Just like a wild pitch, a passed ball is not an error. Both are their own categories and do not affect a fielder’s error total.
Wild Pitches and Stolen Bases
If a runner advances solely because of a wild pitch, it is not a stolen base. However, if the runner breaks for the next base before the pitch gets away, the scorer may award a steal instead of a wild pitch. Timing is everything in that decision.
How It Affects the Game
Understanding the difference matters for players, coaches, and analysts:
- Pitchers are judged on control — wild pitches can indicate command issues.
- Catchers are evaluated on how well they block pitches in the dirt.
- Defenders are not penalized with an error when a wild pitch occurs.
- Fans and fantasy players can better interpret pitching stats like ERA, since wild-pitch runs count as earned.
Summary
- A wild pitch happens when the pitcher throws a ball the catcher can’t control with ordinary effort, allowing a runner to advance.
- An error happens when a fielder misplays a ball that should have been handled cleanly.
- Wild pitches are never scored as errors and do not count against fielders.
- Any runs scored on wild pitches are earned runs against the pitcher.
Bottom line: In MLB, a wild pitch is its own distinct statistic — a reflection of the pitcher’s control, not a defensive mistake.