What Does FC Mean in Baseball? (Fielder’s Choice Explained in Detail)

What Does FC Mean in Baseball?

FC stands for Fielder’s Choice — a play where the defensive player (the fielder) chooses to make a play on another baserunner instead of trying to get the batter out at first base.

In other words:

A fielder “chooses” to make a different defensive play, allowing the batter to safely reach base.

So, even if the batter ends up safe on first base, it’s not considered a hit — because the fielder could have thrown him out but chose another option.

The Official Definition

According to the Official Baseball Rules (OBR 2.00) by MLB:

“A fielder’s choice occurs when a fielder, while handling a fair ground ball, chooses to put out another runner instead of the batter-runner.”

This also includes:

• When a fielder tries (and fails) to get another runner, and the batter-runner reaches base.
• When a fielder’s decision allows one runner to advance while no out is recorded.
• When an outfielder throws to another base to stop a runner from scoring instead of throwing to first.
  

So it’s broader than most fans think — an FC isn’t only about infield grounders.

Common Fielder’s Choice Scenario

Let’s look at a classic example:

• Runner on first base.
• Batter hits a ground ball to the shortstop (position 6).
• Shortstop throws to second base to force the runner out.
• Batter safely reaches first.

Result: Fielder’s Choice (FC 6-4)
– “6” (shortstop) threw to “4” (second baseman).
– Force out recorded at second.
– Batter safe at first (but no hit).

In the scorebook, it appears as: FC 6-4

Why It’s Not a Hit

Even though the batter reached first safely, the play is not scored as a hit because:

• The defense could have gotten the batter out if they’d chosen to throw to first.
• The fielder’s decision — not the batter’s action — determined the result.

So, the batter earns an at-bat, but not a hit.
This means his batting average (AVG) goes down, even though he’s on base.

That’s why some players jokingly call the fielder’s choice “the most unfair at-bat in baseball”.

Fielder’s Choice in the Box Score

Here’s a typical example of how it appears:

The batter didn’t record a hit but did help advance the play.
If a run had scored, he might even earn an RBI, but his batting average still takes the hit.

FC vs. Similar Plays

The key difference:
FC = deliberate defensive choice, not a misplay or bad throw.

Unusual FC Scenarios

There are some rare but fascinating cases of Fielder’s Choice plays:

1. Outfielder’s Fielder’s Choice

If a deep fly ball is caught, it’s a flyout, not an FC. But if the outfielder retrieves a base hit and throws out a lead runner instead of going to first — that can be an FC by the outfielder.

2. Missed Opportunity, Still FC

If a fielder attempts to get another runner but no one is out (e.g., throw too late), and the batter reaches safely, it’s still FC, not a hit.

3. Double-Play Attempt

If a shortstop throws to second for one out and then to first — and the batter beats the throw — that’s still an FC (the batter’s entry point in the scorebook).

Impact on Statistics

Fielder’s Choice affects multiple stats, for both hitters and pitchers.

For Hitters:

• Batting Average (AVG): decreases
• On-Base Percentage (OBP): unaffected if the player reaches safely
• Slugging Percentage (SLG): no credit for a base
• RBI: counts only if a run scores

For Pitchers:

• If a run scores due to FC, it can be earned or unearned, depending on the inning’s context (errors, prior outs, etc.).
• The pitcher still gets credit for the at-bat allowed.

For Fielders:

• The assisting fielder gets an assist (A); the one making the tag or forceout gets a putout (PO).
• If no out occurs, but the attempt was legitimate, it’s still recorded as Fielder’s Choice in the play description.

Real MLB Example

Game: Yankees vs. Red Sox, August 2023.

• Runner on first (Judge).
• Stanton hits a sharp grounder to the shortstop.
• Shortstop throws to second for the forceout.
• Stanton safe at first.

The play is scored: “Stanton reached on fielder’s choice (6–4). Judge out at 2B”.

Stanton’s box line: 1 AB, 0 H, 0 RBI.
Even though he reached base, it hurts his batting average.

Fielder’s Choice in Sabermetrics

In advanced baseball analytics, FC plays are treated differently than simple groundouts or errors.

Modern metrics (like wOBA, wRC+, xBA) adjust for FC outcomes because they often:

• Represent productive contact,
• Involve strategic defense, and
• Can reflect situational hitting (runner advancement, pressure decisions).

Analysts track frequency of FC per contact type to estimate:

• Team defensive positioning,
• Baserunning aggression,
• Fielder decision-making efficiency.

So while traditional stats penalize hitters for FC, analytics often contextualize it as a neutral or even positive event.

Historical Context

The term fielder’s choice first appeared in official baseball scoring in the late 1800s, when scorekeepers needed a way to differentiate between:

• A batter reaching base due to a fielder’s action, and
• A batter earning a base through his own hitting skill.

It evolved alongside other scoring standards like error (E) and sacrifice (SAC).
By 1920, “fielder’s choice” was codified in professional baseball’s rulebook and has remained an essential scoring category ever since.

Strategic Importance of FC

While it looks like just another groundout, fielder’s choice reflects:

• Defensive awareness (making the smart play),
• Game situation understanding (outs, inning, baserunners), and
• Offensive pressure (forcing fielders to make quick decisions).

Smart teams turn FC plays into defensive leverage — preventing runs even if a batter reaches base.
On the flip side, aggressive baserunning often forces FC situations, creating opportunities for errors or missed outs.

Summary Table

Final Thoughts

So, what does FC mean in baseball?
It stands for Fielder’s Choice — a defensive play where a fielder chooses to get another runner out instead of the batter.

Even if the batter reaches base safely, it’s not scored as a hit, because the outcome was the result of the defense’s decision, not the batter’s success at the plate.

Fielder’s choice plays may seem routine, but they embody what makes baseball strategic and fascinating:
Every second counts, every throw matters, and sometimes, the smartest choice isn’t the flashiest one.