Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 7/17/2009

Question
I have a question about whether a hit was a single or not in the softball league I play in, which we use baseball rules for statistics.  There is a runner on first base, no outs.  The batter hits the ball to right field, and the rightfielder is playing at normal depth.  The runner on first goes 1/3 of the way to second, and sees that the ball lands in front of the rightfielder late.  He gets throw out at second base, and the batter is safe at first.  I understand that it is a force out usually, but according to rule 10.06 the batter would of been safe at first in normal circumstances.  Confused on what to score it as, a force out or a single?  Thanks for the help!

Answer
Kevin,

If the runner is forced out, you can not credit the batter with a single.

Rule 10.06 only applies if the fielder attempts to put out a preceeding runner, but fails to record the out.  If the scorer feels the batter would reach successfully if the fielder attempted to get them out, then he would award the batter a base hit.

Hope this helps!

Brian