Overview
A wild pitch is charged when the pitcher's delivery strays so far that the catcher cannot reasonably handle it. With runners on base, it allows advancement; with a runner on third, it directly leads to a run. The distinction between a wild pitch and a passed ball rests with the official scorer's judgment on whether the pitcher or catcher bears responsibility. Pitchers who rely heavily on forkballs or splitters with sharp downward movement tend to accumulate more wild pitches. In NPB, forkball specialists frequently rank among league leaders in wild pitches. Wild pitches also factor into uncaught third strikes, making them one of the most costly defensive lapses.