We are reader supported. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Also, as an Amazon affiliate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
You see FC in a box score and wonder what happened. The batter reached first base, the defense made a play somewhere else, and the scorer did not give a hit. That sequence has a name and a clear rule set. This guide breaks down fielder’s choice from the ground up so you can read a scorebook, watch a game, and know exactly what the call means, why it matters, and how it changes stats and strategy.
Introduction
Fielder’s choice sits at the intersection of judgment, rules, and strategy. It can look routine or chaotic. A shortstop fields a grounder, turns to second, and the batter reaches first. A catcher fires to third, the lead runner is tagged, and the batter moves up. On the surface these are simple baseball plays. Under the hood they carry scoring consequences that change batting average, on-base percentage, RBIs, double plays, and how teams evaluate players.
This article explains what a fielder’s choice is, when it applies, when it does not, how it is scored, and what it means for both teams. You will get clear examples, scoring notes, and a compact checklist you can use live. By the end, FC will not be a mystery code in the book. It will be one of the most logical entries you make.
What Is a Fielder’s Choice
Core definition
A fielder’s choice occurs when a fielder, after fielding a fair ball, elects to try to put out a different runner instead of the batter-runner, and the batter-runner reaches first base safely. The defense may record an out on that other runner, or may record no out at all. The key is the choice to try for someone other than the batter-runner.
In the box score, the batter is credited with a fielder’s choice, not a hit. It counts as a time at bat. It is not a walk, not a hit by pitch, and not a sacrifice.
The judgment element
Official scorers also use fielder’s choice in plays where no out is recorded. If a fielder chooses to try for a preceding runner and fails, and in the scorer’s judgment the batter-runner would have been put out at first with ordinary effort if the fielder had instead thrown to first, the batter-runner is still charged with fielder’s choice. If the batter-runner would have beaten any throw to first with ordinary effort, the scorer should credit a hit instead of fielder’s choice.
When a Play Becomes a Fielder’s Choice
Common infield grounder with a force
Runner on first, none out. The batter hits a ground ball to shortstop. The shortstop throws to second for the force, and the second baseman records the out. The batter-runner reaches first safely. This is the most common fielder’s choice. The batter is not credited with a hit. The play may be notated as FC 6-4 if you note fielder’s choice or as 6-4 with the batter marked FC depending on your scorebook style.
The same logic applies with a throw to third to cut down a runner from second, or a throw to home to stop a force with the bases loaded. Any time the fielder chooses an out on another runner and the batter-runner reaches safely, score fielder’s choice for the batter.
Plays at the plate
Bases loaded, one out. The batter hits a sharp grounder to third. The third baseman throws home for the force and the catcher gets the out at the plate. The batter-runner reaches first. This is fielder’s choice for the batter. If the catcher instead tries to return the ball to first and the batter is then out, the batter is 0-for-1 and has grounded into a double play. If the catcher never secures the throw and commits an error, do not charge fielder’s choice for safe runners where the error, not the choice, created the safety.
Non-force attempts and tag plays
Not all choices are force plays. With a runner on second and one out, a grounder to third may lead to a tag attempt on a runner breaking to third. The third baseman can try to tag and miss, and the batter-runner can reach first. If the scorer judges that a routine throw to first would have retired the batter, this is fielder’s choice. If no out is recorded and no error is charged, it remains fielder’s choice because the defense chose a runner other than the batter and likely could have retired the batter with ordinary effort.
Outfield balls and why they are not always FC
When a ball is cleanly hit to the outfield, the batter-runner would not be retired at first with ordinary effort. If the defense then throws to third to try to nail a runner taking an extra base, that defensive choice does not take away the base hit. In that case, credit the batter with a single, and record the out on the lead runner if made. Do not record fielder’s choice on a clean outfield single where the batter would have been safe at first regardless of the throw.
When It Is Not a Fielder’s Choice
Clean hit to the outfield
If the batted ball is a routine single to the outfield, the batter-runner would be safe at first regardless of the defense’s target. The scorer should credit a hit, even if the outfielder throws to a different base to try for another runner. A tag out on that other runner does not convert the batter’s single into fielder’s choice.
Errors that create extra bases
If a fielder misplays a grounder, drops a throw on a force attempt, or throws wildly such that runners advance and no out is recorded, the play is not fielder’s choice if the error created the safety. In that case, score the appropriate error. The scorer should not use fielder’s choice to hide a defensive mistake.
Slow roller where the batter beats any throw
On a slow roller or swinging bunt, if the batter-runner would clearly beat any routine throw to first even if the fielder never attempted another play, the batter should get an infield single. If the fielder chooses to throw to another base and fails, but the batter would have been safe anyway, do not use fielder’s choice. Credit the hit.
How Official Scorers Record a Fielder’s Choice
Batter statistics affected
When a batter reaches on fielder’s choice, it counts as an at-bat but not a hit. That lowers batting average. It also does not add to on-base percentage because OBP includes hits, walks, and hit by pitch. Reaching on fielder’s choice is simply a time on base without credit in the OBP numerator. Slugging percentage is not affected as a hit either, since no base total is credited to the batter.
Reaching on fielder’s choice still moves the inning forward and can shift double play odds and run expectancy, but it does not pad the batter’s rate stats the way a hit or walk does.
Team and play-by-play notation
In a scorebook, scorers commonly mark FC next to the batter and note the fielders involved in the out, if any. Examples include FC 6-4 for a throw from short to second, FC 5-2 for a throw from third to home on a force, or FC with no out recorded if the throw failed to retire the targeted runner and no error is charged.
If a run scores on a ground ball where the defense chooses an out on another runner, make sure to assess RBI credit properly as described below. Also mark double plays if two outs are recorded on the same batted ball.
RBI on a fielder’s choice
A batter can receive an RBI on a fielder’s choice when a run scores without the aid of an error and without the batter grounding into a double play. For example, runner on third and one out. The batter hits a grounder to short, who throws to second to retire a runner coming from first. The runner from third scores. The batter is credited with an RBI, and the batter reached on fielder’s choice. If the play results in a double play and a run scores, do not credit an RBI. If a run scores only because of a defensive error, do not credit an RBI.
Double plays and how they change credit
If the batter hits a ground ball and the defense records two outs on the same batted ball, it is a ground into double play. Even if a runner crosses the plate, the batter does not receive an RBI on that play. The batter is 0-for-1 and charged with a GIDP. This distinction matters in both scoring and evaluation, as GIDP is a specific tracked event.
Comparing Fielder’s Choice and Error
Clean decision versus misplay
Fielder’s choice reflects a clean defensive decision to try for a different runner. Error reflects a misplay that allows advancement that should have been prevented with ordinary effort. If a fielder fields a routine grounder and throws late to second on a force that the runner beats, with no bobble, score fielder’s choice. If the same fielder bobbles the transfer or drops the ball, and that misplay is why the runner is safe, score an error instead.
Late throw versus wild throw
On a choice play, a late but accurate throw that arrives after the runner is safe leans toward fielder’s choice. A wild throw that pulls the fielder off the bag or sails into foul territory leans toward error, because the misplay, not the choice, created the safety and any extra advancement.
Force Plays and Tag Plays Inside FC
Force removed and timing plays
Force plays simplify fielder’s choice decisions because any throw to the forced base can be made without a tag. When the force is removed, such as after a missed force or when runners vacate bases on a caught fly, tag plays become timing plays. A non-force tag attempt that fails can still produce a fielder’s choice if the batter would likely have been out at first with ordinary effort. The scorer must judge the ordinary-effort element carefully on such plays.
The lead runner, trailing runner, and batter-runner paths
Scorekeepers should track all runner paths. On a grounder with runners on first and second, the defense may try for the lead at third, the middle out at second, or the batter at first. If the fielder goes for the lead runner and succeeds, mark the out and credit the batter with fielder’s choice if safe at first. If the fielder goes for the lead runner and fails without error, still mark fielder’s choice if the batter would likely have been retired with an ordinary throw to first. If the defense instead takes the sure out at first and no other outs occur, the batter is out and no fielder’s choice applies.
Strategy: Why Defenses Choose Another Out
Run expectancy and game context
Defenses choose the out that best reduces expected runs. With a runner on first and no outs, the force at second is attractive because it sets up a double play chance. With runners on the corners and one out, cutting the runner at the plate may be optimal if the infield is drawn in. In late innings, the lead runner out can be worth more than retiring the batter-runner. All these choices convert into fielder’s choice when the batter reaches safely as a result of the decision.
Corners in, middle back, and alignments
Infield positioning drives choices. Corners playing in defend the plate or third. Middle infielders playing double play depth look to second. The same grounder can yield different outcomes and different scoring based on alignment. A chopper to third with the infield in and a runner on third often triggers a play at home. If the runner is out and the batter-runner is safe, it is fielder’s choice. If the third baseman eats the ball with no throw, and the batter would have been out at first with ordinary effort, the scorer should still record fielder’s choice if the fielder clearly chose to hold the runner rather than take the out at first.
Offense: How Hitters and Runners Should React
Baserunning reads and risk
Runners must read infielders early. Aggressive strides may draw throws that create fielder’s choice outcomes and open extra bases for trailing runners. A hard break from first on a grounder can induce a throw to second. If the runner forces a bang-bang play and the defense records an out, the batter-runner takes first on fielder’s choice, avoiding a double play if the runner slides well. If the runner hesitates and the defense turns two, the inning stalls. Crisp reads can turn fielder’s choice into a small win for the offense by avoiding GIDP while trading a runner for first base occupancy.
Avoiding grounding into double plays
Hitters with average speed can still reduce double plays by running hard and by keeping the ball elevated. But when a ground ball is inevitable, hustling through the bag increases the chance that the defense takes only the force at second, leaving the batter safe at first on fielder’s choice. That small edge often keeps rallies alive. It does not help the batting average, but it helps the team scoreboard.
Scorebook Examples You Will See
Runner on first, grounder to short
Play one: R1, none out. Batter hits a routine grounder to short. Throw to second beats R1. Batter-runner safe at first. Score FC 6-4 for the batter, and record the out at second. The batter is 0-for-1 with a fielder’s choice.
Play two: Same setup. Shortstop bobbles the ball, then throws late to second and everyone is safe. If the bobble is the reason the out was missed, score an error on the shortstop, not fielder’s choice. If there was no bobble and the play was simply beaten by the runner, score fielder’s choice with no out recorded.
Bases loaded, play at the plate
Play one: Bases loaded, one out. Grounder to third. Throw home retires the runner from third. Batter-runner safe at first. Score FC 5-2 for the batter. No RBI because the run did not score.
Play two: Runners on first and third, one out. Grounder to short. Shortstop tries for the out at second. Runner from third scores. Batter-runner safe at first. Score FC for the batter and credit an RBI, provided there is no error and the play is not a double play.
Runners on the corners, grounder to third
Play one: Runners at first and third, one out. Grounder to third. Third baseman fires home. The runner from third is tagged out. Batter-runner safe at first. Score FC 5-2 for the batter. No RBI.
Play two: Same setup. Third baseman looks home, holds the runner, then throws late to first but the batter would have been retired with ordinary effort if the throw had gone straight to first. The scorer may still record fielder’s choice because the fielder chose to prevent the runner from breaking rather than take the easy out, and that choice allowed the batter-runner to reach safely.
Youth and Amateur Differences
Shorter basepaths magnify FC decisions
Youth and amateur fields often have shorter basepaths and developing arms, so bang-bang plays at second are closer and more throws are late. More plays will result in fielder’s choice without recorded outs, and more borderline plays hinge on ordinary effort. Scorers should keep the same principles. Judge whether the batter would have been retired at first with ordinary effort. If yes, fielder’s choice applies when the defense goes for another runner. If no, credit the hit.
Common Myths and Clarifications
Fielder’s choice does not mean the batter was lucky
Some fans think FC is a backdoor hit. It is not a hit at all. It is a defensive decision that leaves the batter-runner safe at first. Batting average and on-base percentage do not benefit. Luck may influence the result, but the scorer is not crediting skill at bat in that moment.
Fielder’s choice does not equal sacrifice
Sacrifice bunt and sacrifice fly are separate scoring plays with their own criteria. A fielder’s choice grounder is not a sacrifice. There is no sacrifice credit just because a runner advanced while the batter reached on fielder’s choice. A bunt can still be a fielder’s choice if the defense goes after a lead runner and the batter would have been retired at first with ordinary effort, but unless the bunt meets sacrifice criteria, no sacrifice is awarded.
Quick Checklist for Scorers
Three questions to decide FC vs hit vs error
First, did the fielder choose to try to retire a runner other than the batter-runner. If yes, proceed.
Second, absent errors, would the batter-runner likely have been out at first with ordinary effort if the fielder had thrown there. If yes, lean fielder’s choice. If no, credit a hit even if the defense threw elsewhere.
Third, did a misplay cause the safety. If the answer is yes, score an error instead of fielder’s choice where appropriate. Late but clean and accurate throws support fielder’s choice. Wild throws and drops support errors.
Putting It All Together
Fielder’s choice ties the flow of a play to the logic of scoring. The defense selects the out that best serves its situation. The scorer then decides whether that choice, made with ordinary effort, would have retired the batter if aimed at first. Outfield singles stay hits. Clean infield choices become fielder’s choice. Errors stay errors. In the book, the coin of value is what would have happened with ordinary effort had the defense taken the straightforward out.
On the field, FC shifts leverage. It can end a rally by cutting down a lead runner, or it can keep a rally alive by avoiding a double play. It can deliver an RBI without a hit, if the right run crosses without error and without a double play. It can also drag down a batting line while still helping the team. Once you see these connections, FC stops being a confusing code and becomes a simple, consistent result of a clear defensive decision.
Conclusion
The core of fielder’s choice is simple. The defense targets a runner other than the batter, and the batter-runner reaches first. Scoring then follows three anchors. Was there a deliberate choice away from first. Would the batter have been out at first with ordinary effort. Did an error create the safety. Use those anchors and the answers fall into place.
Now when you watch a grounder with runners on, you can predict the call. If the shortstop goes to second and the batter beats the return, mark FC. If the outfielder throws to third on a clean single, keep the hit. If a wild throw turns a routine out into chaos, charge the error. For RBIs, remember the simple split. A run on fielder’s choice can earn an RBI unless a double play is turned or an error is the reason the run scores. With these rules in hand, your scorebook will reflect the game with clarity, and your understanding will match what players and coaches weigh in real time.
FAQ
Q: What is a fielder’s choice in baseball
A: A fielder’s choice occurs when a fielder, after fielding a fair ball, elects to try to put out a different runner instead of the batter-runner, and the batter-runner reaches first base safely. The defense may record an out on that other runner, or may record no out at all.
Q: Does a fielder’s choice count as a hit or an at-bat
A: Reaching on fielder’s choice counts as an at-bat but not a hit. It does not add to on-base percentage because OBP includes hits, walks, and hit by pitch.
Q: Can a batter get an RBI on a fielder’s choice
A: A batter can receive an RBI on a fielder’s choice when a run scores without the aid of an error and without the batter grounding into a double play.
Q: How do I tell the difference between a fielder’s choice and an error
A: Fielder’s choice reflects a clean defensive decision to try for another runner, often with a late but accurate throw. Error reflects a misplay such as a bobble, drop, or wild throw that creates the safety or extra advancement.
Q: Is a clean outfield single with a throw to another base a fielder’s choice
A: No. On a clean outfield single, the batter would be safe at first with ordinary effort regardless of the throw, so the batter is credited with a hit, not a fielder’s choice.