re: Why isn't a sacrifice fly an official at bat but an RBI ground out is?

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Don't get pissy and backtrack now

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Every response was talking about why that didn't count, none criticizing it as a weak analogy which I would absolutely concede I could have explained it better as I was picturing in my head. Sac bunt advancing a runner is non-AB, FC advancing a runner is an at bat. Result doesn't equate intent.

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just a repeat of what had already been said in the thread.

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When I opened up the reply menu there were no replies to the thread only some up/down votes.

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I would argue that the batter might actually influence/cause the ROE

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yep, not nearly enough credit goes to hitters especially at lower levels of play for a kid hitting the ball hard enough to have caused that error.

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Agreed. If I put down a sac bunt and the pitcher throws home, but the runner is safe, and then throws to first and I barely beat it. Do I get credit for A.) Infield Hit, B.) Sac Bunt (No AB), C.) Fielder's Choice (AB and RBI, but no H), D.) Other?

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If you barely beat the throw to first even after the throw home then the official scorer should definitely not give you a hit.

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I think your situation (barely safe at first, would have been out if the fielder didn't try to throw out at home) it should be a sac bunt and RBI with no at bat for the hitter. Not sure if anything else would need to be noted in the scoring.

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SACRIFICES

10.09 (a) Score a sacrifice bunt when, before two are out, the batter advances one or more runners with a bunt and is put out at first base, or would have been put out except for a fielding error.

(b) Score a sacrifice bunt when, before two are out, the fielders handle a bunted ball without error in an unsuccessful attempt to put out a preceding runner advancing one base.

EXCEPTION: When an attempt to turn a bunt into a putout of a preceding runner fails, and in the scorer's judgment perfect play would not have put out the batter at first base, the batter shall be credited with a one base hit and not a sacrifice.

(c) Do not score a sacrifice bunt when any runner is put out attempting to advance one base on a bunt. Charge the batter with a time at bat.

(d) Do not score a sacrifice bunt when, in the judgment of the scorer, the batter is bunting primarily for a base hit and not for the purpose of advancing a runner or runners. Charge the batter with a time at bat.

NOTE: In applying the above rule, always give the batter the benefit of the doubt.

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I thought it would go as a fielder's choice for choosing to go for the lead runner.

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I would give the batter the benefit and count it as a sacrifice. If he were in his last at bat and needing to extend a hit streak, I think I could argue a hit. Also could see the fielder's choice angle, and could understand the argument there.

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C is the correct answer. A failed fielder's choice still isn't a hit.

ETA: Maybe I'm wrong though. I thought it would go as a fielder's choice for choosing to go for the lead runner.

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If there are less than two outs and runner on 3rd and you lay down a successful bunt where the runner scores I think the vast majority of time the scorer should give you a sac bunt and RBI with no at bat. Scoring it a FC would penalize the hitters stats (average and OBP). The fact that the hitter also reached base raises the question of should it be a hit and RBI instead of a sacrifice and RBI. The official scorer would have to use discretion to determine if the fielder would have likely got the batter at first but for trying to get the lead runner first in deciding whether to give a hit or not.

Should be very rare that this scenario is ever scored a fielder's choice I think.

I don’t think anyone “intends” to hit a sacrifice fly unless it’s a potential walk-off situation. Otherwise, they’re trying for a home run or an extra-base hit somewhere.

But I like the idea of rewarding a guy for driving in a run with an out so I’m cool with calling it a sacrifice fly and not charging an official at-bat. Ought to do the same with an RBI ground out, especially to the right side of the infield when it’s obvious the batter is just trying to merely get the runner home.