With a runner on 1st the batter hits a hard ground ball to the center fielder he picks the Ball up and forces the runner out at second base how is the play scored

by Joe
(Staten island)

Joe asked: Runner on 1st the batter hits a hard ground ball to the center fielder, who then forces the runner out at second base.

How is this scored?


Rick answered: Joe, thank you for your question.

Scoring should go 8-(4 or 6), depending on who covered the bag, with the batter getting a Fielder's Choice.

Rule on base hits states, A base hit is a statistic credited to a batter when such batter reaches base safely, as set forth in Rule (9.05)

(b) The official scorer shall not credit a base hit when a:

1) runner is forced out by a batted ball, or would have been forced out except for a fielding error.

Hard for a hitter to swallow when you smoke a pitch and they make a play from the outfield to get a force.


Yours in baseball,

Rick