Expert: Tom Schott - 3/28/2010

Question
Hi again Tom,

Here is the question again.  Runner on 1st base. Batter hits a fly ball to right center field that drops in between the center and right fielder.  The batter is easily safe at 1st.  The runner on 1st holds up between 1st and 2nd to see if the ball is caught.  Right fielder picks up ball and throws to second for the force out.  The runner would have made it easily to second if he hadn't held up between first and second. Question...does the batter get a hit or is it a fielder's choice?  Thank you.

Answer
Okay, Monte, I've now gotten definitive ruling for you. I was completely wrong in my first answer to you, to my great embarrassment, I may add. Several experts I've consulted on my own, all confirm that the batter is awarded only a fielder's choice in the situation you describe. It's not fair to the batter, but there it is.