Runners on 2nd and 3rd, 1 out. Batter hits an easy two hopper to the SS who cleanly fields the ball. SS looks at both runners then just holds the ball, making no attempt or throw to retire anyone.
Is the batter entitled to a hit? Or is it a fielder's choice?

Fielder's choice. And give the SS a cup of black coffee.

Bob

OK
 

As described the play is clearly a fielder's choice . . . of course my opinion is that of an umpire and NOT influenced by the fact that I have never read Rule 10. (OBR)

Fielder's choice
 

Rbn3,

"OBR 10.06- A base hit shall not be scored in the following cases... (d) When a fielder fails in an attempt to put out a preceding runner, and in the scorer's judgement the batter-runner could have been put out at first base."

mick

Thanks for the answers...
 

I thought that the batter runner should get a fielder's choice. I guess the only way to give a hit is to decide that looking at runners does not consitute an "attempt" to retire them.

The only way to award a hit, is if in the scorer's judgement, the batter would have been safe IF there was a throw. The original post said "easy 2 hopper". There fore, fielder's choice.

Bob

There does seem to be a potential conflict in the scoring rules. "Mechanical slowness" cannot be ruled an error - this example is the logical extreme of the slowness rule. Does the SS get an error on this play?

Scorer's judgement
 

Rbn3,

<B><I><U> 10.13</U>: </B> OBR
Note (1) Slow handling of the ball which does not involve mechanical misplay shall not be construed as an error
Note (3) Mental mistakes or misjudgements are not to be scored as errors unless specifically covered in the rules. </I>

mick