Fielder's choice
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In baseball, a fielder's choice (abbreviated FC) is most often the act of a fielder, upon fielding a batted ball, choosing to try to put out one runner while in so doing allowing the batter-runner to advance to first base.
Example: With a runner on first, the batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop. Instead of throwing the batter out at first, the shortstop chooses to throw to second base, making the runner out. The runner is called out, but meanwhile, the batter reaches first base safely. This play is a fielder's choice.
If the fielder commits an error and the runner is not put out, the play is still scored as a fielder's choice, but an error is charged to the fielder.
A batter who reaches base safely as the result of a fielder's choice is not credited with a hit; he is effectively charged with an out (and an at bat) just as if he had been put out himself.
A fielder's choice is also recorded when a fielder attempts an out on a runner, and another runner advances due to such an attempt. This type of fielder's choice is unrelated to the batter reaching first base; it happens with other runners or with the batter-runner after he reaches first base. For example, a runner is said to have advanced on a fielder's choice when a play at home plate enables him to reach second or third base.
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