passed ball

noun

: a baseball pitch not hit by the batter that passes the catcher when it should have been caught and allows a base runner to advance

one of his trick pitches shot by his catcher for a passed ball—

John Drebinger

compare wild pitch

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Zunino cracked a 433-foot shot in the sixth against Taijuan Walker and allowed a run-scoring passed ball in the bottom half. —

Ronald Blum, Chron, 14 July 2021 Zunino cracked a 433-foot shot in the sixth against Taijuan Walker and allowed a run-scoring passed ball in the bottom half. —

The Salt Lake Tribune, 13 July 2021 When a wild pitch or passed ball goes through or by the catcher, or deflects off the catcher, and goes directly into the dugout, stands, above the break, or any area where the ball is dead, the awarding of bases shall be one base. —

Joe Noga, cleveland, 18 May 2022 The Huskies led 5-0 behind Quick’s 3-run blast in the first and two more runs on a fielder’s choice and passed ball in the second inning. —

Ben Thomas | Bthomas@al.com, al, 6 May 2022 The go-ahead run scored on J.T. Realmuto’s passed ball, and Smith’s two-run single up the middle made it 6-3. —

Mike Fitzpatrick, Hartford Courant, 1 May 2022 Wood pitched five strong innings in a series-ending 6-2 loss, allowing one run on catcher Tyler Houston’ passed ball. —

Paul Sullivan, chicagotribune.com, 17 Sep. 2021 Andrew Knapp scored on Robinson Chirinos’ passed ball in the bottom of the ninth inning to win it for Philadelphia. —

San Francisco Chronicle, 15 Sep. 2021 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'passed ball.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.