This happens a lot. An infielder makes a nice, diving stop on a ground ball. Then, he picks himself up, and still has plenty of time to throw the runner out. He then throws off target causing the runner to be safe.

Is this a scored as a hit or an error.

If the throw would have been made in time to get the runner out, it is an error. If the throw would have been late, it's a hit.

From your post, sounds like he had time to make the throw in time, therefore - error.

If the play was beyond "ordinary effort" (great stop that most would not make) then it could be a base hit and not an arror. However if in your opinion (since you saw the play), the fielder did not use extrodinary effort to make the play, so it was a play that should have been made then it should be classified as an error. This one is really up to the scorekeeper and his/her definition of ordinary effort.

Like others have suggested, when you're not sure then ask others around you (that will give you an honest assesment). Sometimes I'll ask the fielders involved in the play. You'd be suprised how many are quite honest.

quote:

If the play was beyond "ordinary effort" (great stop that most would not make) then it could be a base hit and not an arror. However if in your opinion (since you saw the play), the fielder did not use extrodinary effort to make the play, so it was a play that should have been made then it should be classified as an error. This one is really up to the scorekeeper and his/her definition of ordinary effort.

Not sure I agree with this in this situation. If the player had dove for the ball and it hit off his glove, or he did not come up with the ball, then I would consider a base hit. However, he did make the play, had time to make the throw and made a bad throw, I would have to call it an error.

Unfortunately, fielders with extra range often get charged with errors for difficult plays that an ordinary fielder would not even reach or be able to make a play on. It's part of the game.

Error. Its one of the reasons better players sometimes will have a lower fielding percentage that others in hs. They get to more balls and they make more plays on tougher plays to make.

It's an error as described.

I interpret 'ordinary effort' based on what happens when the error occurs. If the SS has the ball, standing up straight, feet pointed at first, with plenty of time and throws the ball away, its an error. The fact that he has the ball because he made a great play, doesn't figure into the equation.

If he rushes the throw because of the dive or runs out of time and the runner would've been safe, then you can score a hit.

The big cop-out is if the fielder throws it away and takes second, you can score hit and error.

Extraordinary effort stops being an issue once the fielder has time to make the throw and errs. As an official scorer it was painful to give my son errors on thrown balls on plays I know no one else on the field would have got to. He didn't kick one ball. He learned over the course of the season if he dives for a rocket, he usually has time to throw the hitter out. Pop up, plant and throw. That's when the errors stopped.