What is a passed ball in baseball?

A passed ball in baseball occurs when the catcher is unable to successfully field a pitch that should have been caught, resulting in a baserunner advancing to the next base. This can happen for a variety of reasons, such as a pitch being thrown too far outside or inside for the catcher to reach, a pitch bouncing in the dirt, or a catcher simply failing to catch a pitch that they should have.

A passed ball is different from a wild pitch, which occurs when a pitch is so far off target that the catcher has no chance of making the catch. Passed balls are charged to the catcher as an error, while wild pitches are charged to the pitcher.

Passed balls can have a significant impact on the outcome of a game, as they can lead to baserunners advancing and potentially scoring runs. Catchers often work hard to prevent passed balls by improving their technique, communication with their pitchers, and agility behind the plate.