passed ball

[ past bawl ]

noun

, Baseball.

1. a pitched ball that the catcher can reasonably be expected to catch but misses, allowing one or more base runners to advance one or more bases.

Word History and Origins

Origin of passed ball¹

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65

Example Sentences

Among the 299 catchers to log at least 500 innings since 1995, Posey ranks sixth in fewest passed balls per nine innings.

From FiveThirtyEight

Contreras raced to third on a passed ball that bounced in front of catcher Yan Gomes and squirted away.

From Washington Post

Second base available because the passed ball permitted Conteras to advance.

From Washington Post

The first run scored on a passed ball when catcher Jonathan Lucroy missed a fastball in the zone.

From Washington Post

Neither side was able to tally, although a scratch hit put a Giant on first and a passed ball advanced him to second.

From Project Gutenberg

Willis lined out a single, bringing in Larry and reaching second himself a moment later on a passed ball.

From Project Gutenberg

Buck might have done so, but somehow he "crossed signals" with Jack, the result being a passed ball that let in a score.

From Project Gutenberg

Summervilles first run for four innings was scored a moment later when Bob stole home on a passed ball.

From Project Gutenberg

Well, perhaps it did go somewhere near the plate, though to see it coming youd have thought it was going to be a passed ball!

From Project Gutenberg