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Originally Posted by just another ref
If the ball had been outside, in the other batters box, that is nowhere near the plate either, but if he stands there with the bat stuck out would that be a strike?
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It would not.
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On a swing, it has to do with whether the bat crossed the plate, as opposed to if the batter "broke his wrists" as many will argue, correct?
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Not exactly. If the barrel of the bat travels in front of the batter's body, that is generally called a strike...the plate is not in issue. For example, you could have a batter set up deep in the box, 'offer' at a pitch, but the bat never break the front edge of the plate.
Ultimately it is the PU/BU's (if appealed) judgement ALONE as to whether the batter offered at the pitch. The bat does not have to 'break the plane' to be an offer. The 'wrist' thing is a myth, erase it from your memory banks.
Just talking about bunts, generally, most will say that if the bunter moves the bat forward toward the ball in flight, its an attempt. Just holding the bat stationary in the strike zone is NOT an attempt...the PU will call the pitch a strike/ball based on location of the pitch.
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So, part of my question was, does the bat crossing the plate on the bunt attempt have significance, (I think not) and does it have to be fully retracted, or just on the way back, (obviously not attempting to hit the ball then) or what?
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I do this: If a bunter squares, then moves the bat forward (however slight) toward the pitched ball in flight, its a strike. If it remains motionless/bat is being retracted/bat is fully retracted during the pitch and the pitch is out of the strike zone, its a ball.
The plate does not come into play here.
Does that help?