Scenario: With a runner on third and no outs, the batter hits a grounder straight to the first baseman. In your opinion, the first baseman could easily have run over to the bag in time to force out the batter-runner, but, instead, the fielder throws the ball to the catcher in the hope of getting out the runner who has dashed from third towards home. The throw is perfect and the ball is fielded cleanly by the catcher, who applies the tag to the now-sliding runner. However, the runner is adjudged to have just beaten the tag and the run is awarded. The catcher looks towards first base but sees that there is no point in making the throw as the batter-runner will be safe anyway.
As the official scorer, how should you score the batter-runner’s advancement to first?
A – A single.
B - Reached on fielder’s choice.
C - Reached on error.
Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:
Answer:Â B – Reached on fielder’s choice.
Rule 10.05(b)(4) states:
[The official scorer shall not credit a base hit when a] fielder fails in an attempt to put out a preceding runner and, in the scorer’s judgment, the batter-runner could have been put out at first base.
Since no error was made on the play (there was nothing wrong with the mechanics of the fielding), it must be a fielder’s choice.
7 comments
It’s a clear fielders chioce, because the firstbaseman had the option to let the runner score or he could have taken an easy out at first. He chose to try and cut off the run.
It is certainly a clear fielder’s choice for some, but I was once approached by a player in a game who all but demanded a hit in this situation, saying that unless an out was made (or would have been but for an error) then it cannot be a fielder’s choice. He was wrong, but he wasn’t too happy about being told so.
That’s one thing I didn’t mention in the official scorer section of the BBfB. You sometimes need a thick skin!
Obvious FC. Joe you faced a baseball beginner. Glad you stood your ground. The official scorer’s toughest job will always be : hit or error?
Just for clarification, this is also awarded an RBI.
The batter would have gotten one for a single or a fielder’s choice, as long as the runner beat the throw/tag, and there is no error.
Yep – fully agree.
What’s this? A Croydon Pirates (1st team) player arguing with the scorer to be credited with a (lame) hit? Musht be shome mishtake, occifer…
I’d be ashamed to argue for that to be credited as a hit. Well done for standing your ground, Joe.