Baseball · MLB / Rule 05
Reaching first base
MLB · 2025In short
Hits, walks, hit batters and the uncaught third strike.
Becoming a runner
A fair hit makes the batter a runner. A walk awards first base. A pitch hitting the batter awards first only when the batter did not swing, the pitch was outside the strike zone and the batter tried to avoid it; the ball is dead. Catcher interference can also entitle the batter to first, subject to the offense accepting the play instead.
An uncaught third strike
When the catcher fails to catch strike 3, the batter may try to reach first if first base was unoccupied or there were 2 outs. Otherwise the batter is out. Occupancy is judged at the pitch. The batter-runner remains liable to be put out and must advance promptly; entering the dugout or abandoning the attempt can end that opportunity.
Independent explanations and translations, not official federation publications. Based on the supplied MLB Official Baseball Rules 2025. Separate operational regulations and later amendments are not inferred. References use physical PDF pages. Explanations are condensed; the supplied edition and its stated competition conditions determine scope.
Sources & approach ↗
Sources & approach ↗