Expert: Tom Schott - 6/24/2006

Question
My question is do you score a fielder's choice based on the decision of the fielder or the result of the play. For instance...runner on first and batter grounds to the first baseman who instead of choosing to step on first for the for sure out decides instead to try and get the lead runner at second, who beats out the throw.  Does a batter receive a hit as a result of the play or a fielder's choice because he decided to make an effort for a different out?  Another example-two outs...runners at first and second...batter hits directly to third who could have stepped on third but instead tries to throw runner out at first who beats the throw out...is the runner on by hit or fielder's choice?  The situation that happened that is in question in a recent game was runners on second and third...batter hit to the pitcher who could have went to first...but noticed that the runner at second was hung off the base and attempted to throw the runner out who safely returned to second base.  Batter safely arrived at first and runner at third scored on the attempted out at second...Coach says that the batter recieves a fielder's choice no RBI or hit.  I thought that you needed to get a put out or error to be considered a fielder's choice.  Did the batter recieve a single and should he be credited for the RBI?

Answer
Hi Mike,

The fielder's choice is scored on the decision of the fielder, not the play result. It does not require that there be a put out or error made. In both of the examples you cite, the batter is safe on a fielder's choice.

In the situation you describe, with the runner's on 2d and 3d, the batter is safe on a fielder's choice and he does receive an RBI. (It's the same as if the pitcher threw home and the runner was safe.)

Here's the definition of a fielder's choice from the Official Rules (2.00)

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).

Cheers,
Tom