Stolen base or fielder's choice?

[ixamnis]

Had this happen twice yesterday. Runner on first base (first case batter bunts, second case batter singles to right). runner on first advances to third base. No attempt to get the runner at third, ball goes back to the infield. No one covering second so the batter runs to second without violating the hesitation or leaving base early rule. Award a stolen base or is it just a fielder's choice? is there single with an extra base as a choice?

[LarryKoch]

Based on my understanding of your situation I would score it a single, them move the batter to second base and choose "On the throw."

[Taxi_dad]

Agree. You never credit a stolen base as consequence of a batted ball. Fielder's choice.

[ixamnis]

Thanks, what was confusing me was the "throw" had already occurred and the ball was in an infielder's glove. So the fielders made a "choice" not to cover second or attempt to throw the runner/batter out who was taking the extra base. As I understand it, for iscore, "on the throw" is the same as "fielders choice".

[ixamnis]

Just thought of something else though. If the batter walks, rounds first and goes to second because no one's paying attention or they are trying to keep a runner from scoring from third. Did the batter steal second or is that a fielders choice too?

[ixamnis]

Probably should have tried to look this up in the rules to start with. From what I am able to read according to NCAA softball rules (not sure if this applies to baseball) The Batter/runner is awarded a stolen base in all the examples I gave. The first two are against the defensive team and on taking second on a walk is charged to the catcher. See specifically rule 14.14.9.