NFBC Message Boards

The Astros running a shift where Bregman ends up as the leftfielder. Will this lead to him having OF eligibility??

Hollenole wrote:The Astros running a shift where Bregman ends up as the leftfielder. Will this lead to him having OF eligibility??

Only if they do that 10 times this year. A player gains eligibility when he plays 10 games at a new position.

Bregman was positioned in the outfield, but he was still considered the third baseman. It's the same as when the 3B goes to shallow right on an overshift, or at the end of a tight game where an outfielder comes in to the infield. The box score shows that Bregman only played 3B, and he won't get credit as having played in the outfield. The first inning play where Gallo flew out to Bregman in left was called a pop out to third.

So would it be at the discretion of the Official scorer?? How did Rizzo end up with 2b eligibility in so many leagues last year wasn't it a similar situation where he was only moving for a shift??

BTW I am not arguing for him to get eligibility in the OF or not just looking for clarification on this and any other future situations like this, considering we are seeing more and more extreme shifts in baseball.

For shifts, no fielder gets 'awarded' a new position unless it involves a pitcher, catcher, or 1B.
And in a non-shift situation, Eddie Rosario was a fifth infielder today and even changed gloves. No infield designation.
Bregman was in the outfield like many second basemen for pull hitters. No outfield designation.
I wish I could tell you why.
If up to me, the 1B would also not get a designation merely because of a change of gloves.