scoring rule regarding errors

Question
Dear Brian,

I am a coach on a 13U select team in Boerne, Tx.  We have a 4 coach staff and have had some disagreement from one coach regarding official scoring of errors.  I have shown him the Official Rules of Baseball regarding the ruling but he continues to disagree and notes that all youth league, high school and collegiate coaches will agree with him.  He contends that on a throw from an infielder to first that is in the dirt or high and the first baseman does not make the play, it is the first baseman's error.  I, and the rest of our staff, disagree based on the fact that the throw is considered "wild" when in the dirt or off line, thus causing the first baseman to make an exceptional effort to make the play.  Such a play results in an error on the thrower. He states that even if the throw is in the dirt, if the first baseman gets a glove on it, it is his error. I believe the rule to state he is wrong and need some expert help to stop this annoying argument once and for all.  Thanks for your help!

Answer
Michael,

I doubt an email from an anonymous person will persuade someone who doesn't believe, but I'll give it a shot!

The major league rules in section 10.13 say:

"(d) (1) An error shall be charged against any fielder whose wild throw permits a runner to reach a base safely, when in the scorer's judgment a good throw would have put out the runner."

That tells me that a bad throw by a fielder should be charged to the fielder.  Because a good throw to the 1B's chest would be caught and would allow the runner to be put out.  I don't know of any official scorers who would assign an error to a first baseman in this instance.

So, an excellent first baseman can save errors by making the difficult play, but in no circumstances should an average 1B be penalized for the erratic arms of their fielders.

Hope this helps!

Brian