Baseball terminology question

[Cheryl in SD]

The pitcher just made an "error" according to the announcer. He said he should have caught the ball & it should be ruled an error. Then he came on & said that, yes, it was ruled an error. Then Error was flashed in the ticker at the top of the screen. What does that mean exactly? Is there a penalty involved?

[RichieC]

When there is an error, the offensive player does not receive credit for a hit. But still takes the base. So ironically, you could argue that in penalizes the OTHER team. (not really, though, because they still have a baserunner)

Errors are a useful measurement of a players fielding ability.

[Cheryl in SD]

Hmmmm, this was the pitcher who got the error. He threw, the batter hit & got to the base, but because the pitcher missed catching the ball they said it was ruled an error on the pitcher?

[RichieC]

Exactly. It is a judgement on the part of the scorer that the baserunner would not have reached first if the pitcher hadn't screwed up.

In this case, however (assuming you are watching the Red Sox - Indians game) the error was a throwing error.

[Cheryl in SD]

Yes, we are watching the Red Sox - Indians game. Thank you for your explaination.

[Caitedid]

Yeah, but they still won. Sorry, lived in Boston in 04 and although I don't have any idea what the finer points of baseball are, I love me some Red Sox