What is a Fielder's Option? Definition and Examples
A fielder's option is a scoring decision where a fielder chooses to retire a lead runner instead of the batter, and the batter is not credited with an RBI even if a run scores on the play.
What is a Fielder's Option?
A fielder's option — sometimes called a fielder's choice — is a play where a fielder, upon fielding a batted ball, chooses to throw to a base other than first base in an attempt to retire a lead runner. The batter is safe at first, but the official scorer does not credit the batter with a hit. Instead, the play is scored as a fielder's choice (FC). A fielder's option is the defensive decision: the fielder "opts" to go for the lead runner rather than the sure out at first.
How is a Fielder's Option Measured?
The official scorer applies the fielder's choice rule under MLB Rule 9.05(a)(2). The criteria are:
- The batter hits a ground ball (or a short fly ball that a fielder catches and throws to a base)
- A fielder fields the ball and throws to a base other than first
- The lead runner is either put out or is safe on an error
- The batter reaches first base safely
The batter is not credited with a hit. The play is scored as a fielder's choice, and the batter's plate appearance counts as an at-bat. If a run scores on the play, the batter is not credited with an RBI unless the official scorer determines the run would have scored regardless of the defensive choice.
Statcast tracks fielder's choices as a subset of ground balls. They are not included in a batter's batting average, but they do count toward on-base percentage because the batter reached base safely.
Worked Example
In a 2024 game between the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies, Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia came to bat with runners on first and second and no outs. Arcia hit a ground ball to the third baseman, who fielded it and threw to second base to force the lead runner. The second baseman stepped on the bag for the force out, then the relay to first was late — Arcia was safe. The official scorer ruled the play a fielder's choice. Arcia was not credited with a hit, and his batting average was unchanged. The runner who advanced to third did not score, so no RBI was involved.
If a run had scored from third on the same play, the scorer would have to decide whether the run scored "because of" the fielder's choice or would have scored anyway. If the runner was breaking on contact and scored easily, the scorer typically credits the RBI.
Why It Matters
Fielder's options matter for several reasons:
- Batting average: A fielder's choice is not a hit. A batter who hits many ground balls into fielder's choices will have a lower batting average than his contact quality suggests.
- Run scoring: A fielder's option that retires the lead runner prevents a big inning. The defense trades an out at first for the more valuable out at second or third.
- Defensive evaluation: A fielder's option is a defensive decision. The fielder must judge whether the lead runner is more important than the batter. A fielder who makes the wrong choice — throwing to second when the runner is slow — can turn a double-play ball into a single.
- Fantasy baseball: Fielder's choices count as at-bats but not hits. They lower a hitter's batting average without adding any counting stats. A hitter who hits into many fielder's choices is a drag on your team's average.
Limitations and Common Misconceptions
The biggest misconception is that a fielder's option and a fielder's choice are different things. They are the same play — "fielder's option" describes the defense's choice, and "fielder's choice" is the official scoring term.
Another misconception: a fielder's option is a "bad" outcome for the batter. In reality, reaching base on a fielder's choice is better than making an out. The batter's on-base percentage improves even though his batting average does not.
Fielder's choices are also confused with errors. If the fielder makes a poor throw that allows the batter to reach base, the scorer must decide whether the batter would have been out on a good throw. If yes, the play is scored as a fielder's choice plus an error on the fielder. If no, the play is a hit.
Related Terms
In Legends Deck
In Legends Deck, fielder's options are a defensive outcome determined by the fielding ratings of the defense and the speed of the baserunners. A card with elite Fielding and Arm ratings will convert more ground balls into fielder's options — retiring the lead runner instead of taking the out at first. When building a defensive lineup, prioritize high-Fielding cards up the middle (shortstop, second base, center field) to maximize fielder's option opportunities and prevent runs from scoring.