Stolen base or passed ball?

[wcrapps]

When the catcher doesn't catch the ball, and it goes just to the side of them and the runner advances a base, is that considered a stolen base or a passed ball? Or something else? Not sure if it matters if the pitch was bad and the catcher blocks it or not.

For what it is worth, this is 10 year old baseball. Not sure if different allowances are allowed for that...

Thanks.

[Mikemenn]

I think if the ball wasn't cleanly caught, it's a Passed Ball. Stolen base is reserved for when the runner succeeds in stealing the base and the attempt was made to tag him out.
If the ball was stopped but the pitch was bad, then it's a wild pitch. And if it was caught and thrown well, and the attempt wasn't made, then it's Defense Indifference.

[OhioTex]

basically scorers judgement passed ball or wild pitch based on what you see.
stolen base depends if he broke before the passed ball or after.

[danmcc]

JMO, but defensive indifference is used sparingly. Generally if a play is not made on the steal due to defensive strategy (runner on third) the runner is still given a stolen base.

[wcrapps]

basically scorers judgement passed ball or wild pitch based on what you see.
stolen base depends if he broke before the passed ball or after.

In this league, the runners cannot go until the ball crosses the plate. I was planning to give them credit for a steal, as the ball didn't really seem to go past the catcher or be a wild pitch....

[jenny]

Good one

[jenny]

ost helpful and wonderful post