Can't Steal First Base (1941)

[Dave Wilton]

> -----Original Message-----
> From: American Dialect Society
> [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU]On Behalf
> Of Brad Vest
> Sent: Thursday, September 05, 2002 12:58 PM
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: Re: Can't Steal First Base (1941)
>
>
> There is, I believe, another time in which a stolen base
> cannot be awarded and that is catcher's indifference.
> For instance, if there is a runner on first and he goes
> to steal second and the catcher gets the ball and would
> have a chance of throwing him out but chooses not to make
> the throw, the runner I believe is not credited with a
> stolen base but instead is considered to have "advanced
> on catcher's indifference".

Yes, in this case it's scored as a "fielder's choice." It's also known as an
"undefended steal." It typically occurs with runners on first and third. The
runner at first advances to second, but the catcher holds the ball to
prevent the runner on third from stealing home.