What is "fielder's choice"

n. (context baseball English) A play in which a fielder put out a baserunner, instead putting out the hitter at first base.

n. a play made on a ground ball in which the fielder chooses to put out an advancing runner instead of the batter

In baseball, fielder's choice (abbreviated FC) is a term used to refer to a variety of plays involving an offensive player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt to put out another baserunner, or the defensive team's indifference to his advance. Fielder's choice is not called by the umpires on the field of play; rather, it is recorded by the official scorer to account for the offensive player's advance without crediting him with an offensive statistic such as a hit or stolen base.

Though there are several definitions of fielder's choice, the most common (and the only one commonly referred to as FC) involves a fielder fielding a fair ball and choosing to try to put out another baserunner, thereby allowing the batter-runner to safely reach first base. The defensive player may or may not have an opportunity to retire the batter runner. If a preceding runner is retired on a force out, the batter will not be rewarded with a hit and will be scored a Fielders Choice (FC). Other plays that fall under the definition of FC are usually referred to using other terms such as " defensive indifference" or " on the throw."