Scoring Question

I score it F-8 (for second out), FC to move the runner to 3rd.

quote:

Originally posted by JMoff:
I score it F-8 (for second out), FC to move the runner to 3rd.

FC? Don't get it.

Fielder can choose not to make a play. I use it generically for moved up on the throw or lack of a play being made.

I would disagree with scoring it as a FC.

If you were equating this scenario to "defensive indifference" on an attempted steal (in which FC IS indeed the correct scoring notation), it's not the same. In a defensive indifference situation, the defensive team KNOWS that the runner is attempting to steal and simpy LETS him do it. That's not what happened here.

That leaves two possible choices:
1. If in the scorekeeper's judgment the runner would have made it safely to 3rd base even if there HAD been a play on him, then it's a simply a successful tag-up situation.

2. If he feels that the mental mistake made by F8 allowed him to advance, then rule 10.12(a)(1) gives him the right to score it as an error. Typically, mental mistakes are not subject to being scored as errors, but there are some exceptions to that -- and in my view, this is one of those situations.

There are four ways to account for R2's advance to third base.
a) An error.
b) He advanced on the putout, i.e. the fly ball was deep enough to allow him to tag and reach third safely.
c) He stole third, which might occur if he took off after having appeared to bluff to third following the retouch.
d) He reached third on defensive indifference.


Some scorers might call this an error, but neither slow handling or mental mistakes (unless they lead to a mechanical misplay) are to be considered errors. See 10.12 (a)(1) comment, which gives this example: If F8 throws the ball into the stands believing there were 2 outs, that is an error-- a mental mistake followed by a mechanical misplay. However, in the OP, F8 retained possesion of the ball.

As you described the play, it also appears clear that b) doesn't apply-- the fly ball wasn't deep enough.

Then Rule 10.07 give us this guidance:
"The official scorer shall credit a stolen base to a runner whenever the runner advances one base unaided by a hit, a putout, an error, a force-out, a fielder’s choice, a passed ball, a wild pitch or a balk, subject to the following:
.....
"(g) The official scorer shall not score a stolen base when a runner advances solely because of the defensive team’s indifference to the runner’s advance. The official scorer shall score such a play as a fielder’s choice.

Edit to add: posted while RPD was posting.

I choose FC as due to 10.07 -G,

Personally, I wouldn't even make a note in my scorebook on this. I'd just show a line going to third. I wouldn't call that situation an error or stolen base, I'd just simply score it an advance on a fly ball. If really pushed, I'd say FC since the the fielder choose not to make a play (defensive indifference) although the indifference was stupidity and not a conscious decision.

3FG -- thanks for elaborating on this scenario and its scorekeeping possibilities. I always enjoy your knowledgeable posts.

To me, it's a perfect example of 10.12(a)(1) -- a "mental mistake that leads to a physical misplay". Now granted, he didn't "roll the ball to the pitcher's mound, mistakenly believing there to be three outs and thereby allowing a runner to advance" (as stated in the OBR comment), but he did tuck the ball & glove under his arm and head off the field.

To me, tucking the ball & glove under his arm is every bit as much of a physical misplay as the "rolling it to the pitcher's mound" example given in the rulebook. So I'd score the advancement as E-8.

But hey, that's what makes baseball such a great game -- lotsa room for interpretation.

Thanks!