Base Hit or Fielders Choice . . .

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grstatdoc
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Location: Surprise, Ariz.

Re: Base Hit or Fielders Choice . . .

Post by grstatdoc » Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:29 pm

Am wondering if a sacrifice bunt can be properly credited if no baserunners advance.
That is, with R2 and R3, and the batter bunts, reaches first safely but the runners hold (so bases are loaded).
I'd be hard pressed to credit a sac bunt as no runners were advanced.

Looking at NCAA scoring rule 14.8:
14.8 Sacrifice
A sacrifice is credited to the batter in the following situations:
14.8.1 When a plate appearance meets the following four criteria:
1) there are fewer than two outs,
2) the batter advances one or more base runners by bunting,
3) the ball must be bunted (that is, not swung at, not slapped at, not chopped at), and
4) the batter is called out at first base or would have been out had no error occurred.
Note: Just as the official scorer should award base hits instead of charging errors in cases involving doubt, a play that meets all four criteria for a sacrifice should be scored as such instead of simply awarding a putout and assist (if applicable).
14.8.2 When, with fewer than two outs, the defense (without error) fails to get the lead base runner out on any type of bunt.
Note: If the lead base runner is tagged out in an attempt to advance more than one base, it is scored a fielder’s choice. If the batter is obviously bunting for a hit in a situation in which a sacrifice is not normally used, credit the hitter with an at-bat.
Outside of the college level, I won't speculate (one's mileage may vary, depending on the age level and appropriate rule book governing that level)
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