Free 90
What Does Free 90 Mean in Baseball?
In baseball, “Free 90” refers to the concept of gaining 90 feet—the distance between bases—without the offense having to earn it through a hit, walk, or other common means. This can occur through defensive mistakes, such as wild pitches, passed balls, balks, or fielding errors, where base runners advance one or more bases without the batter putting the ball into play. The term emphasizes the value of these increments of 90 feet, as they put runners in better scoring positions or even allow them to score a run outright.
Understanding the significance of the “Free 90” offers insight into the strategies employed by teams to both capitalize on these opportunities and prevent opponents from gaining such an advantage. Coaches and players are keenly aware that minimizing these unearned advances is crucial in a sport where games are often decided by just a few runs. Effective teams work diligently on defense to avoid such mistakes, while offensively, they remain alert on the basepaths to seize any opportunity presented by the defense’s lapses.
Definition of Free 90
The term “Free 90” in baseball refers to the unearned advancement of a base-runner by 90 feet without the benefit of a hit or an out. This typically occurs due to an opponent’s mistake, such as a wild pitch or a defensive error.
Origins of the Term
The phrase “Free 90” emerges from the standard distance between each base on a baseball diamond, which is exactly 90 feet. The term captures the notion of gaining a significant advantage—a full base—without having to risk an offensive play or out.
Importance in Baseball Strategy
In baseball strategy, avoiding granting a “Free 90” is critical for the defense because such errors can lead to scoring opportunities for the offense. Teams and players focus on fundamentals to minimize chances of mistakes that could allow an opposing player to freely advance. On the flip side, the offense is always on the lookout to exploit any defensive lapses to gain that extra 90 feet.
Ways to Achieve Free 90
In baseball, gaining a Free-90 refers to the offensive team obtaining an extra 90 feet without the benefit of a hit. This can happen in various ways such as stealing bases, wild pitches, and defensive errors.
Stealing Bases
Stealing bases is one aggressive strategy players use to gain a Free-90. The baserunner takes off toward the next base as the pitcher commits to delivering the ball home. Success depends on the runner’s speed, the pitcher’s delivery time, and the catcher’s throw.
- Key Factors for Stealing Bases:
- Runner’s speed and instinct.
- Pitcher’s time to home plate.
- Catcher’s arm strength and accuracy.
Wild Pitches and Passed Balls
Wild pitches and passed balls provide another opportunity for runners to advance a Free-90. A wild pitch is a throw from the pitcher that is too erratic for the catcher to control, while a passed ball occurs when a catcher mishandles a pitch that should have been caught.
- Scenarios Leading to Free-90:
- Pitcher’s loss of control resulting in wild pitches.
- Catcher’s failure to secure a pitch in their glove resulting in passed balls.
Defensive Misplays
Defensive misplays, including errors, often result in a Free-90 for the offensive team. An error can occur on a throw, a missed catch, or a fielder mishandling a batted ball.
- Examples of Defensive Misplays:
- Infielder’s errant throw to another base.
- Outfielder’s missed catch or poor handling of a batted ball.
- Fielder’s failure to properly execute a play.
Each of these instances takes advantage of moments in the game where the defense is vulnerable, indirectly contributing to scoring runs without the requirement of a hit.
