Translation guide
A baseball term for when a fielder chooses to put out a runner other than the batter, allowing the batter to reach base safely. This guide covers how to express the concept in Japanese, from the official term to natural commentary.
The standard Japanese term for the play itself, used in scorekeeping and formal contexts.
The direct loanword from English, widely used in Japanese baseball.
あのプレーはフィルダースチョイスで、バッターはセーフになった。
That play was a fielder's choice, and the batter was safe.
The literal Japanese translation, used in official rules and written contexts.
記録は野手選択による出塁です。
The record shows an on-base by fielder's choice.
How to naturally describe a fielder's choice situation when talking about a game.
A natural way to explain that the fielder chose to get the runner out instead of the batter.
ショートがランナーを選んでアウトにしたから、バッターは一塁に残った。
The shortstop chose to get the runner out, so the batter remained at first.
Emphasizes that the fielder let the batter-runner live to get another runner out.
セカンドは打者走者を生かして、三塁ランナーをアウトにした。
The second baseman let the batter-runner live and got the runner from third out.
The abbreviation used in scorebooks.
The abbreviation 'FC' is used in Japanese scorekeeping, same as in English.
スコアブックにはFCと書いてあります。
It's written as FC in the scorebook.
In casual conversation, フィルダースチョイス is perfectly understood by baseball fans. For formal writing or rulebooks, 野手選択 is preferred.