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You are here: Experts > Recreation/Outdoors > Sports/Recreation for Kids > Baseball Instruction > Rule: Fielders Choice or Hit?
Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 10/23/2009
Question
QUESTION: Hello!
baseball scoring question.. ((is it different for Little League, NCAA or MLB))
is below situation scored a fielders choice by rule... or does scorer have discretion to record as a hit and 8-5 force out?
situation: base runners, 1st, 2nd, 1 out.
Batter high pop fly to left centerfield, ball drops in (not an error). Long throw to first, no chance to get runner at first. However Runner at second miss judged, held up in case fly ball caught and gets thrown out at third.
since the out was made on preceding runner, is it a FC ?
(even though no way to make out at first and arguably a base running mistake )
ANSWER: Charles,
It is always ruled a fielder's choice. There is no scorer's judgement on this one. This is a case where a hitter can be penalized by a bad baserunning play.
Hope this helps!
Brian
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: thanks Brian for the prompt reply !!!
always?, everyone keeps telling me that, FC - no judgment. but I was wondering if there was any specific citation for this, (case?) Because when i look at the rules (10.05.B.3 copied below)... It seems to intentionally not mention outfielders.. leaving me to wonder if judgment is allowed when hit to an outfielder.. perhaps a case rule clarifies..
Thanks again for your input !
charles
source: MLB (and Little League)
10.05 Base Hits
(b) The official scorer shall not credit a base hit when a:
(1) runner is forced out by a batted ball, or would have been forced out except for a fielding error;
(2) 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;
(3) pitcher, the catcher or any infielder handles a batted ball and puts out a preceding runner who is attempting to advance one base or to return to his original base, or would have put out such runner with ordinary effort except for a fielding error. The official scorer shall charge the batter with a time at bat but no hit;
(4) 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; or
Rule 10.05(b) Comment: Rule 10.05(b) shall not apply if the fielder merely looks toward or feints toward another base before attempting to make the putout at first base.
(5) runner is called out for interference with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball, unless in the scorer's judgment the batter-runner would have been safe had the interference not occurred.
Answer
Actually, rule (1) applies. It doesn't specify infielder or outfielder, just runner foreced out by batted ball.
If the runner reached second, then overran the base and was tagged out, then the force doesn't apply and the batter would be awarded a hit.
Brian
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