Scoring Question

Happened last night in a high school game...

Late in 1-run game.
Runner on 3B.
Infield in.
Batter hits grounder to second baseman who gives runner at 3B a look. Because of an initial head fake and jab-step by runner, fielder decides not to risk throw to 1B to get batter in order to make sure runner at 3B holds.

How would you score it?

A. Hit

B. Fielder's Choice

C. Error

Because the game was played in a minor league stadium, the play was scored by a "professional scorer" for what it's worth, but most of the fans disagreed with his ruling.

 

I would have scored it an error. With the infield in and its hit to the second baseman , who looked the runner back there is no way you dont get the out at first. Poor decision on the second baseman . ERROR

 

It is a fielder's choice. The second baseman chose to focus on the runner at third. Even though no play is made on that runner, it is still a fielder's choice.

A similar scoring play is when runners are at first and third, runner from first goes to second and catcher ignores him or throws to third -- scored correctly as fielder's indifference -- another fielder's "choice", not a stolen base..

 

Errors versus Fielder's Choice is confusing to some and debated by many. An error is reserved for a "Physical Miscue" such as a bobble, throwing mistake. Electing to throw to a different base than expected or not throw at all is a fielders choice UNLESS, in the opinion of the official score-keeper, the batter-runner would have beaten an attempted throw to first if their had been no hesitation or other runner on base.

 

Coach though I agree with you, it is a fielder's choice. I have been keeping books for years and I always try to make a little notation on the book about fielders judgment/mis-judgement call. The rule book makes a statement about attempt to get an out. Dodger makes another point about stolen base versus catcher indifference. Not a stolen base unless catcher makes an attempt. These are the little nuances that make high school stats hard for a college coach to use, since a great many scorers don't know the little things.

 

it might have been a stupid decision but if a ball is hit to second base and no one is on third and he just decides not to throw the ball it is scored a hit.

 

Green dude, there was a runner on 3rd.

Gonzo,I am pretty sure your right on the scoring part. What makes it even more confusing is the fact that in the pro's i have seen a fielder make a misjudgement on a ball ( fly ball misjudged and drops in untouched) the announcers call it a hit , and maybe an inning later or a few minutes later the announcers say the official scorer changes it to an error.
That is why i based my call as an error .

Now i hope Carolina comes back and tells us what the official call was. I'm interested .

 

gonzo -- question for you -- if there is no one on third and the runner is off from first on the pitch but the catcher makes no attempt to throw, either because he couldn't get it out of his glove, pitcher took too long delivering the ball and he had no chance, it popped out of the mitt, etc., I believe it is properly scored a stolen base because there is no other choice and no reason the defense wouldn't try to get the runner if it could. I believe that's correct, but your explanation before makes me wonder whether you agree.

In another scoring anomoly, if two runners are off on the same pitch and the defense tries to get one -- say the runner going to third on a first and second double steal, I believe the correct scoring is for both to receive a stolen base if the runner is safe. If one of them is thrown out, the other is simply advancing on the throw, no stolen base. Seems inconsistent, but I believe it is the proper scoring. If the trail runner moves up on the throw, not going on the pitch, no stolen base even if the lead runner is safe.

greenballz -- I don't recall seeing what you describe, but for there to be a fielder's choice there has to be a real choice -- in the play you describe there is no other runner and therefore no other legitimate choice but to try to get the batter. A fielders choice isn't necessarily a wise choice, but it does have to be a legitimate choice -- focusing solely on the runner at third is perhaps an unwise choice, but it is a legitimate choice. In your example I would assume the second baseman couldn't get the ball out or stumbled, or something, and I would utilize my discretion to score it an error, not a hit. I refuse to believe that a player would be indifferent about making the only play available to him.

I agree with Intimidator Coach on one thing -- I'd like to know how the play was actually scored -- tell us Caroliner.

 

I nominate this thread as "Thread of the Week"! Very interesting.

 

OK.. Great replies!! This is exactly what was going on in the stands. Very interesting.

Like I've already said, the play was scored by the official scorer for the Winston-Salem Warthogs so it should at least hold some merit. It was scored a FIELDERS CHOICE.

I thought then and still do that it was indeed a Fielder's Choice. By definition, a fielder's choice is a play in which the fielder cleanly plays the ball and chooses not to get the batter/runner in favor of either getting another runner out or making an attempt to get him out. I agree it may be a stretch to say the second baseman was attempting to get the runner on 3B out by simply looking him back extra long but that's exactly what he was thinking about and that's what kept him from taking the easy out. I am still not sure what the 100% sure answer is. I guess it's more interesting not knowing. Or maybe we'll find out yet.