NCAA 10-4 Base Hit

Base Hit

SECTION 4. A base hit is credited when a batter advances to first base safely:

a. Because of his fair hit (rather than because of a fielder’s error as in 10-16);

Exception—It is not a base hit if any runner is out on a force play caused by the batter advancing toward first base or would have been forced out except for a fielding error.

b. Because a runner is declared out for being hit by a batted ball as in 8-5-k or the umpire is hit by a batted ball as in 8-3-c;

c. When a fielder attempts to put out a preceding runner but is unsuccessful although there is no fielding error, and the official scorer believes the batter-runner would have reached first base with perfect fielding;

d. When a batter reaches first base safely on a fair ball hit with such force, or so slowly, that any fielder attempting to make a play has no opportunity to do so. A hit shall be scored even if the fielder deflects the ball from or cuts off another fielder who could have put out a runner;

e. When a fair ball that has not been touched by a fielder touches a runner or an umpire; or

Exception—It is not a base hit when a runner is called out for having been touched by an infield fly.

f. When a batter reaches first base safely on a fair ball that takes an unnatural bounce so that a fielder cannot handle it with ordinary effort, or that touches the pitcher’s rubber or any base (including home plate) before being touched by a fielder and bounces so that a fielder cannot handle it with ordinary effort.

Note: In applying the above rules, always give the batter the benefit of the doubt. A safe course to follow is to score a hit when exceptionally good fielding fails to result in a putout.