Expert: Andrew Mullins - 4/3/2010

Question
Scenario: Runner on 1st, 0 outs. The hitter lays down a sac bunt. The bunt is fielded by the 3rd-Baseman. The fielder throws the ball out-of-reach of the player covering 1st base. The Rightfielder retrieves the ball and returns it to the infield. The original runner on first is now on third. The batter is on first. No outs were recorded on the play. The question concerns the scoring of the At-Bat. Is this considered a sacrifice with the runners reaching/advancing on Error-5 (no official At-Bat) or is this scored a fielders choice with Error-5 (batter is charged with an official At-Bat)? Thank you for the response.

Ralph

Answer
Thanks for a greatquestion:

#1 It cannot be a fielder's choice as it appears he was directly trying to get the batter-runner going to first.

#2 Did the batter-runner beat out the throw if it was not errant?  If so, then it's a hit either way.  If he would have clearly been out except for the errant throw, then an error is charges to the fileder or the first baseman whomever did not complete the play.

#3 There are two types of sacrifices, one is sacifice to hit & reach base & the second sacrifice to advance the runner & give yourself up.....A scorekeeper cannot generally know what the coach's goal is unless the batter-runner does not really attempt to reach the first.

Thanks, Andy

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