Editing Fielder's choice (section)

==Definition==
Fielder's choice is defined in MLB Rule 2, "Definitions", as "the act of a fielder who handles a fair grounder and, instead of throwing to first base to put out the batter-runner, throws to another base in an attempt to put out a preceding runner." FC is recorded for the batter-runner if he reaches first base safely regardless of whether the attempt to put out the other runner(s) is successful. If the other runner is successfully put out for the third out, FC is recorded for the batter-runner regardless of whether he had already reached first base (if the other runner was forced out, the batter is described as ''grounding into a [[force play]]'').

Rule 2 also defines FC as any of the following circumstances:
* When a batter accomplishes a [[hit (baseball)|hit]] but is able to safely reach an extra base because of the defense's attempt to put out another baserunner (e.g., one running towards home plate). Often called ''on the throw''. 
* When a runner already on base safely reaches another base due to a fielder's attempt to put out another runner, unless his advance can be categorized as a [[stolen base]]. Also referred to as ''on the throw.''

In many situations fielder's choice requires the [[official scorer]] to make judgment calls, such as what the outcome of the play would have been had there been no runners on base after taking into account [[ordinary effort]] by the defensive team, as well as what effect any [[error (baseball)|errors]] committed by the defensive team might have had on the play.

===Impact on statistics===
A batter who reaches first base safely as the result of a fielder's choice is ''not'' credited with a [[hit (baseball statistics)|hit]] or a [[times on base|time on base]]; however, his turn at the plate is recorded as an [[at bat]] and [[plate appearance]]. Therefore, a player's [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] and [[on-base percentage]] decrease as a result of reaching first base via fielder's choice.

A batter who reaches first base safely but advances on the same play as the result of fielder's choice is credited with a hit for the number of bases he would have reached safely with no other runners on base, and is said to have taken the additional base(s) ''on the throw''.

A baserunner who makes an undefended steal is not credited with a [[stolen base]], but his advance is accounted for as defensive indifference.