Fielder's Choice questions

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Youthcoach
Posts: 5
Joined: Tue Dec 07, 2010 1:42 am

Fielder's Choice questions

Post by Youthcoach » Mon Mar 10, 2014 8:29 pm

Typical scenario,
Runner on first, batter hits shallow fly ball to left-center. Fielder gets a good jump on the ball and throws the runner out at second. I think most of us would score this as a fielder's choice
However, recently it was brought to my attention that this thinking is flawed and I'm looking for other opinion.
The argument is that this is not a fielder's choice for two reasons...
1.) The MLB definition of a fielders choice under 2.0 Definitions says:

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...

2.) The fielder has no play at first base as it is beyond his physical capabilities to make that throw thus does not meet the criteria of "instead of throwing to first..."

Any thoughts?
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OhioTex
Posts: 5491
Joined: Sun May 10, 2009 6:48 am
Location: Columbus OH

Re: Fielder's Choice questions

Post by OhioTex » Mon Mar 10, 2014 10:39 pm

I believe generally accepted practice is to NOT credit a HIT anytime a out on the play. (Not a sac bunt or sac fly so fielders choice by default)

The argument for not scoring a hit is a batters job is to advance the runner and he failed

The rule citations

MLB 10.04 base hits
(B)The official scorer shall not credit a base hit when a:
(1) runner is forced out by a batted ball, or would have been forced out except for
a fielding error;


( now There is an oddity in part 3 in the omission of outfielder but bullet 1 still applies)

3) pitcher, the catcher or any infielder handles a batted ball and puts out a preceding runner who is attempting to advance one base or to return to his original base, or would have put out such runner with ordinary effort except for a fielding error. The official scorer shall charge the batter with a time at bat but no hit;
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