|
Let us refer to the most anal of rules associations, the NCAA, BUT skip the part about needing to withdraw the bat, since they stand alone in that interpretation.
NCAA defines a bunt as "A legally batted ball not swung at, but intentionally tapped with the bat."
NCAA defines bunt attempt as "Any non-swinging movement of the bat intended to tap the ball into play."
NCAA defines a slap hit as "A batted ball that has been struck with a short, chopping motion rather than a full swing. The two most common types of slap its are: a. Those in which the batter takes her stance as if to bunt but then either drives the ball into the ground with a quick, short swing or punches it over the infield. b. Those in which the batter takes running steps toward the pitcher before making contact with the pitch."
NFHS definitions are virtually identical. ASA defines only a bunt.
Note that absolutely NONE of these definitions have any relationship to the hands on the bat! Even when assuming the bunting stance (squaring), that is the first listed most common type of slap!
Maybe moving the bat forward is an oversimplification, and you know it when you see it, but swinging the bat requires a forward force to be applied, or attempted to be applied. A bunt is, at most, a stab to get the bat in the right position, but primarily an attempt to hold the bat still! If forward force is applied, it is a swing (is force more acceptable to everyone than motion?). Since a bunt is "non-swinging", any swing must be a hit attempt, not a bunt attempt.
In some cases, this is close enough that only the words "in my judgment" apply. That is true in any borderline decision at almost every level. You are only as successful as your ability to sell your judgment, even when it isn't what the coach wants to hear.
|