Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 4/21/2010

Question
A ground ball is batted and a 3b man dives and deflects the ball and the ss picks it up and throws out the runner...they both get an assist...but what about a simple fly ball...3b drops it and the ss grabs it and throws the runner out..PLEASE DON'T TELL ME THE 3B MAN GETS AN ASSIST......I also believe the same would be true on a routine ground ball right at the 3b man and he boots it, but ss throws runner out....shoud be no assist for the 3b but yes for the SS....please help....Gary

Answer
Gary,

You are interpreting the scoring rulebook correctly.  Here's the clause from the rulebook:

"(a) The official scorer shall credit an assist to each fielder who
(1) throws or deflects a batted or thrown ball in such a way that a putout results, or would have resulted except for a subsequent error by any fielder. Only one assist and no more shall be credited to each fielder who throws or deflects the ball in a run-down play that results in a putout, or would have resulted in a putout, except for a subsequent error; or
Rule 10.10(a)(1) Comment: Mere ineffective contact with the ball shall not be considered an assist. “Deflect” shall mean to slow down or change the direction of the ball and thereby effectively assist in putting out a batter or runner."

So a deflection must actually make a play possible for the player to be awarded an assist.  Also, later in the same section:

"(b) The official scorer shall not credit an assist to
(3) a fielder whose wild throw permits a runner to advance, even though the runner subsequently is put out as a result of continuous play. A play that follows a misplay (whether or not the misplay is an error) is a new play, and the fielder making any misplay shall not be credited with an assist unless such fielder takes part in the new play."

This covers your situation when the 3B boots the ball and is saved by the shortstop.  The 3B does not get an assist because of this rule.

Hope this helps!

Brian