I know it goes as a base hit for the batter, but is the catcher charged with an error?

Actually, it is NOT a base hit for the batter, and the batter is NOT charged with an At Bat. But yes, the catcher is charged with an error.

From Wikipedia "For statistical purposes, reaching base via catcher’s interference is considered an official plate appearance (i.e., in determining eligibility for the batting title), but it is ignored in calculating a player’s on-base percentage."

I'm afraid I don't understand what the Wikipedia reference has to do with whether or not catcher's interference is a base hit or not.

When a batter is awarded first base due to catcher's interference, the catcher is charged with an error. The batter is not charged with an at bat. In fact, the batter is not even "charged" with a plate appearance, so it does not count against him for calculating any offensive statistic (such as on base percentage). The only time that catcher's interference counts toward anything (offensively) is when determining whether or not a player has had the minimum required number of plate appearances to qualify for a title, such as batting or slugging (example: 502 plate appearances for a 162-game MLB season).

Thanks for the clarification.

Pop, Seems if the catcher is charged with an error and the batter reaches 1B because of it, then the batter would have an ROE and therefore be counted as both an PA and an OAB. No?

That's how I read it, but I'm no expert. I CAN read however!

It is not an official at bat for the same reason a sacrifice bunt is not an official at bat: because the rule book specifically addresses it, and says it is not.

quote:

Originally posted by Midlo Dad:
It is not an official at bat for the same reason a sacrifice bunt is not an official at bat: because the rule book specifically addresses it, and says it is not.

MD, which rulebook & what section?

Below are OBR's scoring rules for a batter being awarded first base due to interference.


10.02
The official score report prepared by the official scorer shall be in a form prescribed by the league and shall include:

(a) The following records for each batter and runner:

(1) Number of times he batted, except that no time at bat shall be charged against a player when
(i) He hits a sacrifice bunt or sacrifice fly
(ii) He is awarded first base on four called balls
(iii) He is hit by a pitched ball
(iv) He is awarded first base because of interference or obstruction.


10.21 DETERMINING PERCENTAGE RECORDS
To compute:
(f) On-base percentage, divide the sum of hits, bases on balls and times hit by pitch by the sum of at-bats, bases on balls, times hit by pitch and sacrifice flies.

Rule 10.21(f) Comment: For the purpose of computing on-base percentage, ignore instances of a batter being awarded first base on interference or obstruction.

Knew it was there somewhere, was just looking in the wrong section and beginning to think I'd lost my mind. [Actually, I have, but nonetheless...]