Runner hit by batted ball

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Pitcher had a "no hitter " up until this play. Looking at the rules on here, it passed by the pitcher, but no other fielder. Is Batter #3 on by a hit or FC?

Sounds like blue got the call correct. I'd score it a FC.

From the ATEC Fastpitch Scoring Guide...

Offense: Fielder's Choice
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Credit a fielder's choice:
1. When a ball is put in play where a preceding runner is forced out on the hit, or would have been forced out had no error occurred.
2. When a ball is put in play where a preceding runner who is forced to advance, is called out on an appeal for missing the first base she was to advance to.
3. When a ball is put in play where a play is made on any lead runner and an out occurs, or an out would have occurred had no error taken place, or the runner is safe, but the batter would have been out had the initial play been made at first.
4. When a runner is checked and no throw is made (a mere checking of a lead runner, or faking a throw does not constitute a play, unless no throw is made, but when a check is followed by a throw and the hitter is safe, credit a hit).
5. When after reaching any base safely, a batter earns extra bases because of a play on a preceding runner (not scored as a part of the original base or extra base hit).
6. When other runners advance while the catcher makes a play on the batter on a dropped third strike.
7. When a base is gained by a runner who is allowed to advance because of indifference (this does not necessarily apply in a first and third situation).
8. When a fielder makes a play on a base she thought a runner was going to, but was wrong, the batter baserunner would have been out with an immediate play at first.

The SS should get credit for the putout, and 1B should get an assist.


Defense: Putouts
Credited to the nearest fielder
...
6. When a runner is out for interfering with a fielder attempting to make a throw (fielder who was to receive the throw/fielder gets an assist)

 

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I would agree about the call- sounds correct. The rule specifically excludes the pitcher as "one of the infielders" on this play.

This exception takes into account that most any batted ball into the infield will "pass" the pitcher before reacing one of the other infielders, the speed with which most batted balls will reach the pitcher, making a play more difficult and the relative distance between the pitcher and any runners on base. So, the rules make a concession to all that and say "the runner is out when struck by a batted ball that has not passed an infielder, excluding the pitcher".

The ATEC scoring guide has another point that fits this play, and it does take a different slant than the NFHS scoring guidelines offered above. From the ATEC guide:

"Credit a hit...if a runner interferes with a batted ball, but the batter would have been safe without the interference."

By their guidelines, it is left to the judgment of the official scorer whether or not to credit a base hit.

The rule aspect of this play is pretty clear. The scoring guidelines, depending on which guideline you read, have some conflicts. I did some more digging into the scoring rules and here is what we have:

- NFHS: One passage in their book says score a fielders choice, one says a base hit.

- ATEC: Score a hit at the discretion and judgment of the scorekeeper.

- ASA: Rule says "DO NOT" score a hit on runner interference!

- NCAA: Their scoring rules specifically say this "IS" a base hit!

All that makes me glad I'm an umpire and not a scorekeeper! There are obviously differences on how this is scored depending which sanctioning body the game is played under. I personally prefer the ATEC version, but you should consult the scoring rules that are specific to your game.