The question of whether a fielder's choice counts as an at-bat is a common one, especially for baseball enthusiasts delving into the intricacies of the game's statistics. The short answer is yes, a fielder's choice does count as an at-bat. However, understanding why requires a deeper look into the definition of an at-bat and how fielder's choices fit within that definition.
What is an At-Bat?
In baseball, an at-bat (AB) is officially defined as a plate appearance in which a batter is put out, gets on base (excluding errors, walks, hit by pitches, or sacrifices), or has a sacrifice fly. The key here is that the batter has made an attempt at hitting a fair pitch.
Understanding Fielder's Choices
A fielder's choice (FC) occurs when a batter hits a fair ball, and the fielder chooses to throw to a base to force out a runner rather than trying to get the batter out. The batter is often safe at first base because the fielder's throw is directed at another runner.
The crucial point is that the batter did make a fair contact with the pitch. This attempted hit is what constitutes the at-bat. The outcome of the play (the fielder choosing to throw to another base) doesn't negate the batter's at-bat.
Why the Confusion?
The confusion likely stems from the fact that the batter doesn't always reach base safely in a fielder's choice. Because a forced out is often the result, it might seem like the at-bat shouldn't be counted, but the at-bat is counted regardless of the runner's success. The focus is on the batter's attempt at hitting the ball, not the final outcome of the play.
Does a Fielder's Choice Affect a Batter's Statistics?
Yes, a fielder's choice directly impacts a batter's statistics. It increases their at-bat count, but it does not count as a hit. This is a significant distinction. While the at-bat increases batting average calculations, it also means that the batter will have an increased number of plate appearances (PA) but not increased number of hits. This influences other statistics derived from hits and plate appearances, such as on-base percentage (OBP).
How is a Fielder's Choice Different from Other Plate Appearances?
Let's clarify this by comparing it to other plate appearances that don't count as at-bats:
- Walk: The batter doesn't swing at four pitches outside of the strike zone. No attempt at hitting the ball is made.
- Hit by Pitch: The batter is hit by the pitch and isn't considered to have made an attempt at hitting it.
- Sacrifice Bunts/Flies: These are intentional plays designed to advance runners, not to reach base for the batter.
In each of these cases, the batter doesn't actively try to hit a fair pitch. That's the fundamental difference.
What about sacrifice bunts? Do they count as at-bats?
No, sacrifice bunts do not count as at-bats. While a sacrifice bunt is a fair ball, it is an intentional attempt to advance runners and not to get a hit for the batter.
In conclusion, despite the batter not always advancing to first base, a fielder's choice undeniably counts as an at-bat due to the batter's attempt to hit a fair pitch. This is a fundamental aspect of baseball statistics that is crucial to understanding advanced metrics.
