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Is this scored a fielders choice or a hit.

Man on 1st. Pop fly to shallow right - right fielder charges and R1 stays relatively close to 1st assuming ball will be caught. Ball drops in and Right fielder easily throws runner out at second.

I scored this a FC but those around me claim any ball that falls in outfield should always be a hit.
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"...when RF let the ball drop, it took away the FC...always a hit if fielder doesn't touch the ball under normal attempt"

Er, I'm sorry, but this is just not correct. You cannot credit a base hit in this situation. It IS scored as a Fielder's Choice. The rule books are very specific about it not being a hit. Not entirely fair to the batter, particularly when the outfielder cannot get to the ball in time, meaning that it would otherwise be a hit (i.e., if no runner was on first base), but it is still the rule. The batter reaches on an FC; the runner is forced out at second.


MLB Scoring Rules
OBR 10.06 A base hit shall not be scored in the following cases: (a) When a runner is forced out by a batted ball, or would have been forced out except for a fielding error;

NCAA 10-4-a Exception—It is not a base hit if any runner is out on a force play caused by the batter advancing toward first base or would have been forced out except for a fielding error.

NFHS 9-3-2-a Exception: It is not a base hit if any runner is out on a force play caused by the batter advancing toward first base

(yes, the NFHS rule uses language identical to the NCAA rule, just omitting the last part)
if you look up the definition of fielder's choice it is in direct reference to a GROUND ball, not a short pop up.

Like saying a left fielder who faints an uncatchable ball to confuse the runner at first, then forces him at second. Are you telling me the batter reached on a fielder's choice. Give me a break!

Integrity of rule. The runner forced at second was because of a bad read, falling down, lossed the ball in the lights, or slow runer. There is no choice of defender on who to put out.
Last edited by SUNBURNTPSYCHO
you have to read a little further.......

"the term is also used by scorers to account for the advance of the batter runner who takes one or more extra bases when the fielder handles his safe hit and attempts to put out a preceding runner.....

It is a Fielders choice.........per the definition in the rule book.........

Its funny you should say integrity of the rule...I know you want to think this is a hit and your trying to fit the rule book into this situation, but it doesnt work that way, the situation has to fit into the rule book, which sometimes may not be totally fair.....

as in this case.....coupled with this.....

NFHS 9-3-2-a Exception: It is not a base hit if any runner is out on a force play caused by the batter advancing toward first base

Makes it a fielders choice.........
Last edited by piaa_ump
Fielders Choice.

I can't count the number of times I've seen a fly ball hit in no man's land where the runner had to hold up to make sure it wouldn't be caught and after it dropped was forced out at second base. With no runner on it would have been a hit, but because the runner was forced out, it becomes a fielders choice.
Even faced with the definition, confirmation from learned advisors and the rule quote you still hold to your incorrect view......

Is it any wonder why HS stats are worthless when this is result of who is scoring the games.........

Yes, it starts with a hit, but becomes a fielders choice when the runner is forced at 2nd......unfair to the batter?...maybe, but thats the breaks.........Fielders choice is the correct scoring....
Last edited by piaa_ump

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