Guides · Hit or no hit
Fielder’s choice
The batter is standing on first. That doesn’t mean he got a hit. If the defense chose to go after another runner, he reached on a fielder’s choice: an at-bat, no hit.
The idea
A fielder’s choice (FC) is when a fielder handles a fair ground ball and, instead of throwing to first for the batter, plays on a runner already on base (Official Baseball Rules, Definitions of Terms). The batter didn’t beat anything; the defense let him have first to try for someone else.
Scorers also use FC for a runner who moves up while the defense is busy with another runner, and for a runner who advances on an uncontested steal (defensive indifference).
No hit, even though he’s safe
The batter doesn’t get a hit when (Rule 9.05(b)):
- A runner is forced out on the ball, or would have been except for a fielding error. Runner on first, grounder to short, throw to second for the force: the batter reached on a fielder’s choice.
- An infielder or the pitcher or catcher retires a lead runner who was trying to advance or return, or would have with ordinary effort except for an error.
- A fielder tries for a lead runner and misses, and the scorer judges ordinary effort would have gotten the batter at first. The defense chose wrong; the batter still didn’t earn a hit.
Still a hit
- The fielder tries for a lead runner and misses, but the batter would have beaten a throw to first anyway. Then it’s a hit (Rule 9.05(a)(6)).
- The fielder only looks or fakes toward another base, then throws to first late. A look isn’t a choice. Judge it as hit or error on the play at first (Rule 9.05(b)(4), comment).
How to score it
- FC
- The batter’s box. He’s charged with an at-bat, no hit, and he doesn’t get on-base credit.
- The out
- On the runner who was retired, with the fielders in order: 6-4 for short to second on a force.
- FC on a runner
- For a runner who took an extra base while the defense played on someone else.
Examples
The textbook force
Runner on first, one out. Ground ball to short, flip to second for the force, no time for the double play. Batter: FC. Runner: out, 6-4.
Late throw to third
Runner on second, nobody out. Grounder to the third baseman, who throws to third to cut down the runner, but he’s safe. The batter, a slow runner, would have been out easily at first. Batter: FC. Everyone safe, no hit.
Same play, fast batter, slow chopper
Same throw to third, same safe call, but it was a slow chopper and the batter would have beaten any throw to first. Batter: 1B. Rule 9.05(a)(6).
The look
Runner on second. The shortstop fields, glances at the runner, then throws to first, and the batter beats it. Hit or error, not FC. He never played on the runner.
Fielder’s choice or single is one of the calls Tough Call can mark as a judgment call, because the “would he have been out at first?” question is a judgment.
Rules cited are from MLB’s Official Baseball Rules: Definitions of Terms (Fielder’s Choice) and Rule 9.05 (Base Hits). Your league’s rulebook governs your games.