Expert: Tom Schott - 8/4/2011

Question
Game situation:  Runner at second base, batter hits ground ball to shortstop who fields ball and throws to first for the second out allowing the runner to advance to third base.  The batter is out 6-3 for the second out but is this also considered to be a Fielder's Choice put out 6-3?

Answer
Hi, Thomas:

Here's the official definition of fielder's choice from the rules:

FIELDER'S CHOICE is the act of a fielder who handles a fair grounder and, instead of throwing to first base to put out the batter-runner, throws to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner. The term is also used by scorers (a) to account for the advance of the batter-runner who takes one or more extra bases when the fielder who handles his safe hit attempts to put out a preceding runner; (b) to account for the advance of a runner (other than by stolen base or error) while a fielder is attempting to put out another runner; and (c) to account for the advance of a runner made solely because of the defensive team’s indifference (undefended steal).

So the case you describe would indeed be a fielder's choice, as I understand it. It fits under the circumstances of (b) above.