# Baseball stats:  Batter hits into third out

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-stats-batter-hits-into-third-out/445820>\
**Category:** The Game Room\
**Created:** [April 18, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-stats-batter-hits-into-third-out/445820 "2008-04-18T01:32:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![CookingWithGas](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cookingwithgas/32/485_2.png) [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2008, 1:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-stats-batter-hits-into-third-out/445820/1 "2008-04-18T01:32:47Z")

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There are two outs, runner on first. The batter hits a grounder to the second baseman who looks to first but then tags the runner going to second for the third out.

How are the stats scored for the batter? He completed a legal at-bat because he became a baserunner, so he will not be the first batter next inning. However, for statistical purposes, is he credited with an at-bat? Was this a single or a fielder’s choice? Or is there no hit and no at-bat?

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**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2008, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-stats-batter-hits-into-third-out/445820/2 "2008-04-18T01:35:33Z")

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That looks like just a plain old fielder’s choice to me. It’s an at-bat and an out. Usually the second baseman will throw to first (or second) in that spot, though. It’s just easier to get the force out.

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**Author:** ![Moment\_Slayer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Moment\_Slayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moment_Slayer)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2008, 1:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-stats-batter-hits-into-third-out/445820/3 "2008-04-18T01:38:10Z")

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Fielder’s choice. It is an at bat and counts against the batter’s batting average. If you are asking because the batter never reached/occupied first base that is not a concern in this situation. The only time he would come up as the first batter is if the runner was caught stealing or pick off base.

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**Author:** ![Manduck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/manduck/32/256_2.png) [@Manduck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Manduck)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2008, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-stats-batter-hits-into-third-out/445820/4 "2008-04-18T03:18:50Z")

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Not only that, but the batter counts as a man left on base, even if he didn’t bother to run all the way to the bag.

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**Author:** ![Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ea5d25/32.png) [@Happy\_Scrappy\_Hero\_Pup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Scrappy_Hero_Pup)\
**Post date:** [April 18, 2008, 12:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-stats-batter-hits-into-third-out/445820/5 "2008-04-18T12:33:38Z")

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And someone will torture the stats until it’s another reason to bag on A-Rod. ☹