Softball scoring question

Should I say here that you should check the scorebook for the home team and go with whatever they have?

 

It's only a hit if the scorer determines that it was improbable or impossible for the fielder - the pitcher, in your case - to have retired the batter at first base.

Let's say there's a runner on first base and a ground ball hit into the hole between short and third. The shortstop is able to get to the ball, but there's no way he or she will get the batter at first. The only play is at second base, but the throw is late and the runner is safe. That's a base hit.

 

OK, that makes sense. Thanks.

 

.

Good idea, but coaches may not know all the rules of scorekeeping. I've covered teams where the coach would award a sacrifice to batters who moved a runner over with a grounder to the right side. Yes, the batter sacrificed himself, but according to the book, it's not a sacrifice.

 

Ace's post was sarcasm.

 

No, that doesn't. The throw was to second. We don't know if the fielder could have thrown the runner out at first because she didn't try to go there. If this is a hit because it's specifically stated in the rules, then I'll call it a hit. But I'm having doubts.

 

It's a judgment call by the scorer. If they feel there's no way the shortstop was going to throw the batter out at first base, regardless of whether the shortstop actually tried, it's a hit.

 

Still a good idea, though. I always do on close calls (difference between a one-hitter and no-hitter, for example) and lineup changes. Most high school baseball and softball announcers seem more interested in playing DJ or being a cheerleader instead of announcing lineup changes.

 

The result of an attempt at a fielder's choice cannot and does not affect the scoring of what the batter did. If the runner was out at second, then it would have to be a fielder's choice. If, therefore, the runner is safe at second, it cannot be a hit. A batter doesn't "earn" a hit because a runner beats a throw.

 

And 15-year old boys/girls are more interested in the game?



Yes, the home book is technically the official one, but it's not always the right one. We've had this discussion on a here a couple of times.
Trust your own judgement. You likely know the rules or are following the game a little closer than 15-year olds, who might miss a play waving to their friends in the stands.

 

Sure, if the only play was to first. In this case that we're discussing, the play was at second. To me, this is a fielder's choice. The batter doesn't earn a hit because the fielder throws the ball somewhere else.

 

Yeah, that.