Fielder's choice

The usual one is a ground ball to short with a runner on first. The shortstop throws to second to force the runner, and the batter is safe at first. The batter got on, but only because the defense took a different out, so the scorer gives no hit. It is written FC, and the out at second is written on the runner's line, for example 6-4.

It also counts when the defense tries for the other runner and gets nobody: the throw to second is late, everyone is safe, and the batter still reaches on a fielder's choice, not a hit. The scorer's question is whether the batter would have been safe at first if the fielder had thrown there. If the answer is yes, it is a hit, whatever the fielder did.

A fielder's choice counts as an at-bat, so it lowers the batting average the same way an out does, and it is not a time on base for on-base percentage, so it lowers that too. The batter gets an RBI if a run scores on the play, unless it was a double play.

Scorers also use FC for a runner who moves up while the defense makes a play on someone else: a runner on second who takes third while the third baseman throws the batter out at first. On the score sheet, that runner's advance is marked FC with the batter's number, so the totals still check at the end.

Examples

• Runner on first, ground ball to short, force out at second, batter safe at first: FC, 6-4 on the runner.
• Runner on third, ground ball to third, the throw home is late and everyone is safe: FC, and the run scores with an RBI.
• A late throw to second on a bunt, everyone safe: FC unless the scorer judges the bunt a hit.

Put it on a card: Score sheets.

Frequently Asked Questions

More in the glossary

• RBI (run batted in)
• Earned run
• Sacrifice bunt
• All glossary pages