wild pitch

noun

: a baseball pitch not hit by the batter that cannot be caught or controlled by the catcher with ordinary effort and that enables a base runner to advance compare passed ball

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web McGowan drove in Delgado via a ground out and Luschar scored on a wild pitch. oregonlive, 23 Apr. 2023 Hank Harp added an RBI single, and a final run scored on a wild pitch. Greg Riddle, Dallas News, 7 Apr. 2023 Thursday’s outing started down a similar path, as well, after Bickford gave up a leadoff double and misfired on a wild pitch. Jack Harris, Los Angeles Times, 7 Apr. 2023 Cedric Mullins stole two bases and advanced another time on a wild pitch. Peter Abraham, BostonGlobe.com, 30 Mar. 2023 Morton escaped a jam in the second after Charles LeBlanc doubled with one out and advanced on a wild pitch, getting a pair of groundouts to end the threat. George Henry, Sun Sentinel, 3 Sep. 2022 There was one out in the third when Matt Vierling walked before advancing to second on a wild pitch. Kristie Rieken, Chron, 4 Apr. 2023 The other run scored on a wild pitch. Terry Monahan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2023 Oregon State tied the game at 1-1 in the second inning when Easton Talt scored on a wild pitch. Ndaschel, oregonlive, 2 Apr. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'wild pitch.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of wild pitch was in 1867

Dictionary Entries Near wild pitch

Cite this Entry

“Wild pitch.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/wild%20pitch. Accessed 30 May. 2023.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!