fielder's choice

American

noun

Baseball.

a fielder's attempt to put out a base runner rather than the batter when a play at first base would put out the batter.

Etymology

Origin of fielder's choice

An Americanism dating back to 1900–05

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Bruins loaded the bases with one out, then broke the 1-1 tie on a fielder’s choice.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Milwaukee loaded the bases after that but Joey Ortiz grounded into an inning-ending fielder's choice.

From Barron's • Oct. 12, 2025

He didn’t give up a run until Elly De La Cruz’s fielder’s choice grounder with two out in the inning.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 1, 2025

Tied at 3, Will Smith singled in Ohtani, who grounded into a fielder’s choice to first and was safe at second on a throwing error by shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

From Seattle Times • May 17, 2024

Ken sent him to third on a fielder's choice.

From The Young Pitcher by Grey, Zane

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023