Scoring Question. Fielder's Choice or Base Hit?

[Coach11]

From the NFCA website...

Credit a hit:

4. when a batter advances safely to any base on a ball which reaches the outfield
untouched by the infield unless the ball should have b~n handled by the infielder
with ordinary effort (e.g., ball between legs),

Which conflicts with the force out of lead runner, and is appropriate to OP scenario.

I'm not going to beat this horse all day.....be he dead yet or not.....all I am saying is that there is judgement used in scoring....when crediting a hit....an error...a wild pitch or passed ball, etc.

Going by the description offered by the OP, were I scoring the game, I would give the batter a hit.

[PDad]

Hey Spazsdad:

What does the BOOK say about this one?

Runners on first and second with two outs. Batter hits a ground ball to the left of the shortstop. As the shortstop is moving to field the ball the runner on second makes contact with her while attempting to go to third. Runner is ruled out for interference. What do you credit the batter with? FC or hit?

It is a judgement call by the scorer - either a hit or FC.

ATEC - Credit a Hit:
2.e - if a runner interferes with a batted ball, but the batter would have
been safe without the interference, credit a hit,

[artomatic]

What if the batter is your own kid?

[NuggDawg]

4. when a batter advances safely to any base on a ball which reaches the outfield
untouched by the infield unless . . . Which conflicts with the force out of lead runner, and is appropriate to OP scenario.

I'm not going to beat this horse all day.....be he dead yet or not.....all I am saying is that there is judgement used in scoring....when crediting a hit....an error...a wild pitch or passed ball, etc.

Going by the description offered by the OP, were I scoring the game, I would give the batter a hit.

Coach, I feel your pain. But you're beating the wrong horse. And you're reaching for straws by quoting #4 in this case.

ATEC's introduction includes this point:
12. The scorekeeper has the authority to make decisions on any points not specifically covered in scoring rules or these guidelines.

A lead runner forced out is specifically covered in the scoring rules. No need for judgment or interpretation here.

[Coach11]

How do you determine an error unless judgement is used?

The entire job is judgement based. It's why there is ONLY one official scorer per game, and that teams have the same person act as scorer throughout a season. So that consistent judgement is used.

Rule 4 on crediting a hit is quite clear....when batter reaches any base on ball hit to outfield not touched by an infielder.

[NuggDawg]

. . . Rule 4 on crediting a hit is quite clear....when batter reaches any base on ball hit to outfield not touched by an infielder.

Coach, judgment at the field is one thing, but judgment in interpreting the scoring rules is another. Granted, I see how ATEC's guide can lead to confusion. You'll find both the NCAA guide and the ASA rule book clear this up by saying DO NOT CREDIT A HIT when a runner is forced out.

[Mick]

What if the batter is your own kid?

It was and I scored it a FC.

[PDad]

NuggDawg - Save your breath (fingers), the guy is from New York...

Sectionals don't begin here in NY until next Thurs.

[Coach11]

. . . Rule 4 on crediting a hit is quite clear....when batter reaches any base on ball hit to outfield not touched by an infielder.

Coach, judgment at the field is one thing, but judgment in interpreting the scoring rules is another. Granted, I see how ATEC's guide can lead to confusion. You'll find both the NCAA guide and the ASA rule book clear this up by saying DO NOT CREDIT A HIT when a runner is forced out.

Checking my ASA rule book, I do not see the term "DO NOT CREDIT A HIT"....but I do see (Under Rule 11 Sec. 3) "A base hit shall not be scored: B) When a player fielding a batted ball retires a preceding runner with ordinary effort"

And I think this may be where some confusion may arise as well. It would be in the scorers judgement as to whether "ordinary effort" led to the force out at second base.

Maybe it was...maybe it wasn't. I'm going on the rather brief description offered by the OP, where the OF is playing deep and the ball is hit short.

I appreciate your having dropped the somewhat patronizing tone and decided to discuss the matter.

I'm a coach....not an expert on official scoring....nor claimed to be. Just offering a different perspective on the matter.

[Coach11]

Ohh....quite the slooth aintcha?

Dig up any dirt of relevance PDad?