Baseball is a game of strategy, and one of the most important aspects of the game is the fielder’s choice. This is when a fielder chooses to make a play on a batted ball rather than throw to a base. In this article, we’ll discuss how to mark a fielder’s choice in baseball.
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What is a Fielder’s Choice?
A fielder’s choice is when a fielder opts to make a play on a batted ball rather than throwing to a base. This can happen in a variety of situations, such as when a fielder opts to make a play on a grounder rather than throwing to first base, or when a fielder opts to throw to a base other than the one that would be most beneficial to the defense.
When a fielder’s choice is made, it is recorded as such in the official scorebook. The official scorer is responsible for making this notation, and must determine whether the fielder’s choice was intentional or not.
How to Mark a Fielder’s Choice
The official scorer will actually mark a fielder’s choice in the scorebook. The scorer will enter a number in the box score that indicates the fielder’s choice. This number will be the same as the number for the base the fielder could have thrown to.
For example, if the fielder chose to throw to second base (rather than first) then the official scorer would enter a “2” in the fielder’s choice box. This indicates to the reader of the scorebook that the fielder chose to make a play on the ball rather than throw to first base.
Circumstances That Lead to Fielder’s Choice
There are several different scenarios that can lead to a fielder’s choice. Here are a few of the more common ones:
• When a ground ball is hit to the shortstop and the shortstop decides to throw to second base rather than first base.
• When a ground ball is hit to the third baseman and the third baseman decides to throw to second base rather than first base.
• When a fly ball is hit to the outfielder and the outfielder decides to throw to a base other than the one the runner is running to.
• When a fielder opts to throw to a base that is not the most beneficial to the defense.
• When a fielder opts to make a play on a batted ball rather than throw to a base.
In all of these scenarios, the official scorer must determine whether the fielder’s choice was intentional or not. If the scorer determines that the choice was intentional, then the fielder’s choice should be marked in the scorebook.
The Importance of Marking a Fielder’s Choice
Marking a fielder’s choice is important for several reasons. First, it is important for the official scorer to make this notation in order to properly record the play in the scorebook. This will ensure that the play is properly accounted for in the final score.
Second, marking a fielder’s choice can be beneficial for the defense. It can help them determine how to best defend against a certain batter or situation in the future.
Finally, marking a fielder’s choice can be beneficial for the offense. It can help them determine which base to run to in certain situations, and can be a valuable tool in helping them to score runs.
Conclusion
Fielder’s choice is an important part of baseball, and it is the responsibility of the official scorer to accurately record the play in the scorebook. By following the guidelines outlined in this article, you’ll be able to properly mark a fielder’s choice in baseball.