Another Scoring Question

You're going to get both views on this one..

I see it as a mental error but not physical, it's like a bunt and no one covers first. It's hard to give a hit, but a FC on this play is likely.

obrady,
I have a hard time with the FC call if the runner was going to be safe. I can certainly agree that a hit would be generous, but the batter did his job--laid down a perfect sac bunt. Why should he be charged with an AB for the fielder's mental error?

You're right, I didn't think about the SAC part, to early still. You can have a SAC with no out.

But a FC doesn't have to be an out either, the fielder choose to make another play.

That's an excellent point. I had forgotten that.

Both situations are FC because the fielder chose - wisely or not - to make a play elsewhere than first. You cannot assume that someone is going to be safe until they have actually taken possession of the base. Think of it like a double play. If you get the force at second and the throw is late to first that is not a hit but a FC. Also it's not an error if the throw is late because a double play is not assumed to be made. If the throw sails past first and the runner takes second then it's an error but just because they don't turn it means you assume it should have been turned.

Scenario 1: SAC + error (batter is 0-0)

Scenario 2: FC + error (batter is 0-1)

Unless .... (OBR 10.09): "When an attempt to turn a bunt into a putout of a preceding runner fails, and in the scorer's judgment perfect play would not have put out the batter at first base, the batter shall be credited with a one base hit and not a sacrifice."

Hope that helps.

Thanks!

The first question is whether the batter would, in the scorekeeper's judgment, have been safe at first had the play been made there.

In the absence of anyone to receive the ball at second, I don't see how you can presume an out there in any event.

If the batter would've been safe irrespective of the play, it's just a single. There is no E unless the runners move up beyond 1st and 2nd when the ball goes into the outfield.

If the batter would've been out at first on a play there, then I would give him a sac bunt, reaching on an FC, no charged at bat but no hit, either. The runner is safe at 2nd and no E charged unless the two runners move up further.

Any E would go to the third baseman, not someone who woulda coulda shoulda been there.