Expert: Tom Mielke - 10/22/2009

Question
in official ASA and NCAA softball scoring, is below situationn automatically scored a fielders choice by rule... or does scorer have discretion to record as a hit and 8-5 force out?

situation: base runners, 1st, 2nd, 1 out.
Batter high pop fly to left centerfield, ball drops in (not an error). Long throw, No chance to get runner at first with ordinary efforts. Runner at second held up in case fly ball caught, tags up and promptly runs to 3rd but gets thrown out with a force out at third. is this a FC by rule?

these rules seem to be relevant.. ...
ASA rule 11 section 3 b
NCAA rule 14.4.5

Are there different rules or perhaps case clarifications, or is that , non hit?


Answer
Charles,

That is fielder's choice all the way.  The batter doesn't get a hit when a preceding runner is forced out.  

Nothing good came of the that at bat.  Before the batter was up, runners on first and second with one out.  After the at bat, runners on first and second with two outs.  

Tom