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It does now!! 2006 rule change, 7-4.L, "A strike is called by the umpire when: A pitched ball, IN THE UMPIRE'S JUDGMENT is prevented from entering the strike zone by any actions of the batter other than hitting the ball.
EFFECT: The ball is dead and a strike is called.
So, Mike, in your play, we first have a dead ball call. It is a HBP, but not necessarily an awarded base. If the umpire agrees with the catcher, we have a strike. If the umpire thinks it wasn't a strike, he may judge that the batter made no effort to avoid being hit by the pitch, and may call it a ball. If he feels it wasn't a strike, and that the batter did make sufficient attempt, or was unable to make more attempt by the nature of the pitch, he may award her first base. And, if it is the pitcher or catcher batting (in JO or senior), there can be a legal courtesy runner.
I like this rule; too bad NCAA has it all wrong, and calls this a "no pitch". Their rules committee doesn't think umpires can judge that it might have crossed the plate, since it was stopped prior to that point.
[Edited by AtlUmpSteve on Jan 30th, 2006 at 10:55 AM]
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