Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 4/26/2011

Question
Man on 1st base. Routine two hopper hit to short stop. Short stop does not charge ball and fields it cleanly and throws to second base not in time to get the runner force out at second. Is this scored as an error on the short stop or scored as a fielders choice. No out was made and the short stop did not bobble the ball or anything. The runner on first was going on the pitch and and it was a hit and run situation. The short stop could charged the ball and gone to first....but chose to sit back and try and get the force at second....which was too late.2vmiy4

Answer
Jim,

Since there wasn't a misplay, the only two choices for the official scorer are a fielder's choice or a base hit.  That's where the judgment call comes into the picture.  If they thought the shortstop would have made the out at first if they had tried, then it should be a fielder's choice.  Based on your description, I'd tend to give the hitter a single.

Hope this helps!

Brian