http://iscoresports.com/

When I looked up fielder's choice, on the official MLB rules site I found: "FIELDER'S CHOICE is the act of a fielder who handles a fair grounder and, instead of throwing to first base to put out the batter-runner, throws to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner. "

If the ball is grounded to the second baseman, who then tags the runner from first as she is running, is it a fielder's choice? (ie. does there have to be a throw involved to make it a fielder's choice?)

NCAA Softball Rule 14.2.10 Fielder’s Choice: A fielder fielding a ground ball and attempting to put out a preceding base runner rather than the batter-runner at first when a throw to first base would have put out the batter-runner.

A throw is not required for the scorer to score a FC on a play.

Thankyou. All my searching just seemed to find the ones with throw in them. I guess I'm search challenged.

No problem. A throw is not required in MLB either - just worded funny. As long as a throw to first would have gotten the Batter/Runner, but the Fielder tagged/forced a preceding runner (either by throwing to another base or tagging the runner) it is recorded as a FC.

The key to a FC is not how the preceding runner gets out, its whether or not a throw to first would have retired the batter/runner.

Scenario:
Runners on 1st and 2nd
Batter hits a looper to left. Left fielder gets on 1 bounce and throws out runner at third on the force. This is not a FC as the left fielder had no shot at getting the runner at first. Score it as a hit-single and a force out at third.

CSThunderCoach wrote:The key to a FC is not how the preceding runner gets out, its whether or not a throw to first would have retired the batter/runner..

exactly coach..

Also , fyi, an out is not absolutely required either, ie if in the scorer judgement, had a throw to first been made and it would have retired the batter/runner with normal effort, then score it at FC.. even if the other runner was safe or reached next base on error ..the batter runner can still get an FC. . .

Thankyou.


Actually managed to get my hands on the softball canada rule book today, so now I'm set.

CSThunderCoach wrote: Scenario:
Runners on 1st and 2nd
Batter hits a looper to left. Left fielder gets on 1 bounce and throws out runner at third on the force. This is not a FC as the left fielder had no shot at getting the runner at first. Score it as a hit-single and a force out at third.

MLB rules would disagree:

"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;"

We have this situation arise from time to time. A runner on first has to hold half-way on a fly to left. The left-fielder short hops the ball and fires to second for the force. The left-fielder has no chance to get the runner, yet it still is scored as a FC 7-4.

coop85 wrote:
MLB rules would disagree:

"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;"

That rule is in MLB 10.05 (b) (1) in case someone wants to review this and can't find it.

PetroGuy wrote:

coop85 wrote:
MLB rules would disagree:

"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;"

That rule is in MLB 10.05 (b) (1) in case someone wants to review this and can't find it.

Thanks for the heads-up, the site I use must be out-of-date. I'll bookmark the MLB site from now on.

Had to do some more digging and found rule 14.4.1, 14.4.5 & 14.4.6

A hit is not credited to the batter in the following situations:

14.4.1 When a batter advances one or more bases while a fielder who handles a fair hit attempts to put out a preceding runner.
14.4.5 When a runner is forced out on a batted ball or would have been forced out except for a fielding error.
14.4.6 When a fielder fails in an attempt to retire a preceding runner and, in the official scorer’s judgment, the batter-runner could have been retired at first base.

So, in my scenario (and many more like it) it is difficult to get credit for a hit if there is 1 or more runners on base.