Official Scorer Question

[cshs81]

I saw this in a MLB game last week.

 

Bottom of 9th in a tie ball game - runner on 3rd - less than 2 outs.

 

Batter hits a long fly ball downt he left field line. The LF is camped under it right on the foul line. He then realizes that if he catches it there is no way he can stop the runner from scoring the winning run. So, hoping that it goes foul, he lets it drop. It drops in fair territory and the winning run scores .

 

You're the Official Scorer. What do you put down the for the batter?

[Theoldguy]

I would say a error, but my guess is it was ruled a hit....since the fielder didn't touch the ball. Actually, it was a very smart play by the outfielder, since the runner at third would have scored easily on the fly ball....

[Diamond Dandy]

Base hit.

[cshs81]

Base hit.

 

Care to explain?

[Diamond Dandy]

Care to explain?

 

It's not a physical error and they don't score mental errors. (Not that it was a mental error, actually a great play)

[All Tell]

OK the world may end. I agree with DD

[Diamond Dandy]

OK the world may end. I agree with DD

 

I'am signing my will and laying out my best suit...how ya doing AT ???

[cshs81]

It's not a physical error and they don't score mental errors. (Not that it was a mental error, actually a great play)

 

 

Its not a physical error? He was right under it and let it go. Are you saying the pitcher is charged with a hit on a lazy fly ball that the guy was under?

[Diamond Dandy]

Here's one for you guys. Similar play on a fly ball down the line, but the player is standing in fair terroity but the ball is comming down in foul territory.

Ball hits the glove and falls to the ground in foul territory. Fair or foul?

[Diamond Dandy]

Its not a physical error? He was right under it and let it go. Are you saying the pitcher is charged with a hit on a lazy fly ball that the guy was under?

 

Do they score it an error when a guy looses the ball in the lights or mis judges a fly ball? No. I would score it a fielders choice, he chose not to make the play. And how do they score it when a third baseman lets a bunt roll hoping it will roll foul. Hit.

[cshs81]

Do they score it an error when a guy looses the ball in the lights or mis judges a fly ball? No.

 

The rules make exceptions for things such as bad bounces and/or sun in the eyes. That does not apply in this case.

 

I would score it a fielders choice, he chose not to make the play.

 

Can it be a FC if no attempt was made on a baserunner?

 

And how do they score it when a third baseman lets a bunt roll hoping it will roll foul. Hit.

 

I'd argue that's a different situation. That sitch occurs when a fielder feels that he cannot make the play and its a last resort.

 

The rulebook says an error s/b charged on a ball that , in the judgement of the scorer, was playable by a fielder. Again, the guy was right under the ball. There was no doubt that he could have caught it. Does the rulebook make any provisions for such a play?

[Diamond Dandy]

The rules make exceptions for things such as bad bounces and/or sun in the eyes. That does not apply in this case.

 

 

 

Can it be a FC if no attempt was made on a baserunner?

 

 

 

 

 

I'd argue that's a different situation. That sitch occurs when a fielder feels that he cannot make the play and its a last resort.

 

The rulebook says an error s/b charged on a ball that , in the judgement of the scorer, was playable by a fielder. Again, the guy was right under the ball. There was no doubt that he could have caught it. Does the rulebook make any provisions for such a play?

 

But it can't be an error because it was a deliberate choice, much like letting the bunt roll.

[cshs81]

But it can't be an error because it was a deliberate choice, much like letting the bunt roll.

 

You are correct. There is a provision in the rulebook regarding what is a hit and what is not a hit. This exact scenario is listed and it says it cannot be an error despite the fact that it was a catch-able ball.

[Diamond Dandy]

You are correct. There is a provision in the rulebook regarding what is a hit and what is not a hit. This exact scenario is listed and it says it cannot be an error despite the fact that it was a catch-able ball.

 

What's your call on my senario? Fair or foul.

[TigerFan2709]

Here's one for you guys. Similar play on a fly ball down the line, but the player is standing in fair terroity but the ball is comming down in foul territory.

Ball hits the glove and falls to the ground in foul territory. Fair or foul?

 

Umpire has to decide whether the ball is going to land in fair or foul territory if left alone. Based on what you said about it was coming down in foul territory it would then be a foul ball. It has nothing to do with where it's touched or where it lands after being touched. It depends on where it will land without being touched.

 

Hope you can understand that. In other words - FOUL BALL - take another cut.