Fielder's Choice

A fielder's choice (FC) is scored when a fielder, upon fielding the ball, chooses to retire a baserunner rather than the batter. The batter reaches first base safely as a result. The key point is that the fielder made a choice, they could have thrown to first to retire the batter, but instead played elsewhere.

When It Is Scored

The official scorer awards a fielder's choice when:

• A fielder retires a runner advancing to another base instead of throwing out the batter
• The scorer judges that the fielder could have retired the batter at first base
• The batter reaches first base as a result

Common scenarios:

• Grounder to third with a runner on second, the third baseman fires home or to third rather than first
• Grounder to shortstop, shortstop throws to second for the force rather than first
• Bunt with runners on base, the fielder plays the lead runner

Not a Hit

A fielder's choice is explicitly not a hit. It does not count toward the batter's batting average or any hit-based statistics. The batter reached base, but the official scorer judged that an error-free play to first could have retired them.

This is different from a hit, where the batter would have been safe even if the fielder had thrown to first. If the scorer believes the batter would have beaten the throw regardless, it is ruled a hit, not a fielder's choice.

Scorebook Notation

Record a fielder's choice using FC followed by the defensive positions involved (using their position numbers 1-9). For example:

• FC6, fielder's choice, shortstop decided not to throw to first
• FC5, fielder's choice, third baseman threw elsewhere

Impact on Statistics

• Batter: Reaches base but receives no hit credit. Does count as a plate appearance and an at-bat.
• Baserunner retired: Recorded as an out; the fielder involved receives an assist if applicable
• Pitcher: Gets credit for a batted ball in play; the outcome depends on whether runners scored as a result