If a fielder makes an error, this does not count as a hit since the batter would have been out if not for the error, so even though the batter reaches base, the pitcher maintains his no-hitter. However, if a batter makes an error, this does not count as a hit and the pitcher also maintains a no-hitter in this situation. Why should the pitcher get the benefit both ways?
A batter would beat out a ground ball if he runs through first base, but if he slides and is just out, the pitcher is not charged with a hit. If a batter misses first on his way to second on a double, the pitcher is not charged with a hit. In both cases, the pitcher gave up a hit, but is not charged with a hit due to batter/baserunner error. If pitchers are not penalized in this situation, how can they benefit from a fielder’s error?
A fielder’s error means the batter would have been out. A batter’s error means the batter would have been safe.
The argument that it would be a judgment call as to whether the batter would have been safe if he did not slide is not a good argument, because games (including World Series games), batting titles, etc. are all decided on judgment calls, so why not no-hitters?
Mark Buehrle would not have had a no-hitter in 2007 if this policy was changed, as a batter would have beaten the throw to first for a hit but inexplicably decided to slide and was just out.
1. Murray Carr on October 4th, 2007 6:29 am
Vince,
Now I know you’ve gone over the edge with this web site. Are you now getting responses from people you don’t know and never heard of?
You also have to send that great anti-bears analysis to each of the teams they will face this year.
I rest all cases.
2. Cliff on October 5th, 2007 7:44 am
“Why should the pitcher get the benefit both ways?”
“Hits” are primarily an offensive statistic – Batting Average is a big deal for hitters. For pitchers, hits allowed is far less important than runs given up, RBI, ERA etc. …… Scoring of Hits is done properly in terms of crediting the batter. If a batter reaches base because of an error by the fielder he does not get credit for anything. If he SHOULD have been safe but makes a stupid play and runs into a tag, then he is an idiot and again does not deserve credit for anything…..No-Nos are an oddity having to do with luck as much as skill (perfect games even more so). In one case there is a spectacular play in the field by a great fielder, in another there may be a stupid play by a runner. Everything has to fall into place. Hence many HOF pitchers never had a No-NO, while a number of very average pitchers have done it. We make a big deal of it because (a) they are so rare and (b) a pitcher indeed had to be pitching very well on a particular day to get one. The statistic, (”Hits”), is scored correctly.
3. Larry on October 5th, 2007 11:48 am
I agree that “hits” has been an offensive statistic, but that doesn’t make it right. I feel it should work both ways. Pitchers are not credited with giving up a hit because the fielder should have made the play, so they should be credited with giving up a hit if the batter/runner should have made the play.