Scenario: With a runner on first the batter appears to have a hit a run-scoring triple, but the preceding runner is called out on a appeal play for failing to touch second base.
The batter obviously loses a run batted in, but, as the official scorer, to what do you downgrade the triple?
A – A double.
B – A single.
C – No hit (just an at-bat).
Highlight the text below to reveal the answer:
Answer: C – No hit (just an at-bat).
Rule 10.05(b)(2) states:
[The official scorer shall not credit a base hit when a] batter apparently hits safely and a runner who is forced to advance by reason of the batter becoming a runner fails to touch the first base to which such runner is advancing and is called out on appeal. The official scorer shall charge the batter with a time at bat but no hit.
That happened in a game earlier this year when the Mets Ryan Church failed to touch third in a game against the Dodgers. The mets went on to lose the game by one run.