Fielder's Choice?

by Tanner Luopa
(Keene NH USA)

Tanner asked: Bases loaded, no outs.... Batter hits line drive basehit to left field.

Runner at 3rd scores, but runner on 2B makes mistake and goes to tag up, and then does see ball but finally realizes it was a hit.

He is out at 3B easily and hitter is awarded FC with RBI.

Doesn't really seem fair that it's a FC on a hit.

If he flys out to LF instead he is awarded SF and RBI but because runner makes mistake no hit? Doesn't the official scorer have discretion to award Hit and a Put out 7-5? Weird FC of 7-5 on a clear hit.

Can the hitter be awarded a hit?


Rick answered: Tanner, thank you for your question.

The official scorer certainly would have discretion on such a play.

Giving the batter a hit, on what would clearly have been a hit had the runner not made his mistake, would really make no difference in the box score, for either team.

Outfielder gets an assist, 3b gets a put out, batter base hit and rbi.

I believe most score keepers would go in that direction.


Yours in baseball,

Rick