Batter lays down a bunt; the bunt goes back to the pitcher. The pitcher turns and throws the base runner out at 2nd. Batter reaches 1st base safely as the throw to 1st (in an attempt to turn a double play) is late.

Is this scored a sacrifice bunt or fielder's choice.

Fielders choice. Sacrafice would mean the batter gave himself up in a succesful attempt to move the runner to the next base. In this case the pitcher "chose" to and successfully retired the runner.

jfsbndr -
Thanks for your reply. Here's another question... same situation but the pitcher makes a bad throw and the base runner is safe at 2nd and the batter also reaches 1st base.

Fielder's choice or Sacrifice Bunt?

I would score your last scenario as an E1 with the runner advancing on the existing error.

Whether he's safe or out at 2nd doesn't affect the ruling. It's a FC for the batter (fielder was "throwing to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner"). Additionally it would be E1 as the reason for the runner advancing to second.

quote:

Originally posted by RPD:
Whether he's safe or out at 2nd doesn't affect the ruling. It's a FC for the batter (fielder was "throwing to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner"). Additionally it would be E1 as the reason for the runner advancing to second.

I agree, there was no attempt at first so my original post is wrong. FC for the batter and E1 for the advance.

If the play is ruled a FC, the batter is credited with an at-bat.

What happens at second base is crucial here, isn't it? If the runner's safe because of a throwing error, it's a FC. If the runner's safe and there's no error (they just didn't get the runner), it's a SB.

Seems like we've seen this thread before... Michael, you are correct. Now, I'll try and overly complicate it for fun.

If the throw goes into center field, but in your opinion the runner would've been safe at second with a good throw, you rule a sacrifice bunt and would only score an error if there is an advancement beyond second. What I mean is, the pitcher makes the turn to throw the runner out at second when he had no chance of retiring him. Good throw / bad throw, its a sacrifice (0-0), batter reached on the Fielder's Choice of retiring the runner at second. This is an old argument I don't really want to start again.

If instead you believe a good throw would've retired the runner at second (and he made a bad throw), or if there is a bobble on a come backer and everyone is safe where you REALLY believe the play at second would've been made, then its an E-1 and FC (0-1 on batter). In the later case, the ordinary effort play would be to go to first, so I would have to see the pitcher turning to second before the miss-play with lots of time to not credit the sacrifice, like he drops the ball transferring out of his glove. I'm going to score this one a sacrifice, reached first on E-1 (0-0 in the stats) almost all the time. If the pitcher boots the ball with his shoulders square to the plate (assume everyone safe), then its definitely Sacrifice (0-0), batter reaches on E-1.

Just my opinion....