Scoring rules
How to score a fielder’s choice
A fielder’s choice is a batted ball the defence uses to go after a runner already on base instead of the batter. The batter reaches, but does not get a hit.
The rule
What a fielder’s choice is
The classic case: a runner on first, a ground ball to the shortstop, and the shortstop throws to second to force the runner instead of throwing to first for the batter. The runner is out, the batter is safe at first, and the batter is scored as reaching on a fielder’s choice.
It is still a fielder’s choice when the throw to the other base is late and everyone is safe, as long as no error was made. The defence chose to go after the lead runner, and the batter reached because of that choice, not because the ball beat the fielders.
The rule is the same in slo-pitch, fastball and baseball.
On paper
FC in a scorebook
Write FC in the batter’s box and draw the line to first. Many scorers add the fielding play that made the out, using position numbers: a shortstop-to-second-base force is FC 6-4, and the runner who was forced gets the out (6-4) in their own box.
If the fielder simply mishandles the ball and nobody is put out, that is an error, not a fielder’s choice — the batter reached on the defence’s mistake rather than its decision.
The batter’s line
Is a fielder’s choice an at-bat? Yes. A hit? No.
| Stat | Fielder’s choice |
|---|---|
| Plate appearance (PA) | Yes |
| At-bat (AB) | Yes |
| Hit (H) | No |
| Batting average | Goes down — an at-bat with no hit |
| On-base percentage | Goes down — the at-bat counts, but reaching on an FC is not “on base” for OBP |
| RBI | Yes, for a run that scores on the play |
That is why a fielder’s choice feels harsh to the batter: they are standing on first, and their average still dropped. The formulas are in the stats glossary (AB, OBP).
In Score That Play
How to record a fielder’s choice
Four taps, and the app does the stat-keeping.
- 01
Tap Batter, Other
With the batter up, tap the Batter, Other button on the scorekeeper screen.
- 02
Tap Fielder’s Choice
The button is marked FC. There is no batted-ball step for it; the app goes straight to the runners.
- 03
Mark the runner who was put out
Confirm Runner Outcomes already has the batter on 1st and any forced runners moved up a base. Tap the runner the defence got and choose Out. For a forced runner, Out at shows the base — change it if the out was made somewhere else.
- 04
Confirm Play
The batter is charged with an at-bat and no hit, the out is added, and the bases update. If a run scored on the play, the batter gets the RBI.
Worked example
Runner on first, grounder to short
One out, a runner on first. The batter grounds to the shortstop, who flips to the second baseman for the force. The batter beats any relay to first.
Scorebook: FC 6-4 for the batter; the runner is out 6-4 at second.
Score That Play: Batter, Other → Fielder’s Choice. On Confirm Runner Outcomes the runner from first shows 1st → 2nd; tap it and choose Out (Out at 2nd is already selected, because that is the base they were forced to). The batter shows Home → 1st, which is right. Tap Confirm Play.
Result: two out, the batter on first, and the batter’s line reads 1 PA, 1 AB, 0 H.
Keep reading
More on scorekeeping
- Scorekeeping app featuresEvery play the app records, every stat it works out, and how a game is kept.
- Stats glossaryAB, OBP, LOB, OPS, WHIP and the rest — what each one means and how it is counted.
- Sacrifice flyWhat makes a sac fly, why it is not an at-bat, and SF versus SH.
- Innings & mercy rulesHow long a game is, run-ahead rules and time limits — and how to set them.