[MajorDave]

I had plate for a rivalry district game between the only two high schools in this town-West vs. East at East. East leading in bottom of 6th. Score 4-3. Leadoff hitter for East sets up very inside and close to the plate with his hands, arms and front shoulder over plate. Inside pitch. He does turn away from pitch but probably still in strike zone and over plate. I call dead ball and award first, not sure why but in my mind he seemingly attempted to get out of the way and the pitch was over inside corner. After I award first, West coach comes out to discuss. I talked too much and admitted that I thought the pitch was a strike until it hit the batter. Coach asked me to just admit I blew the call. I said "you got me. I got fooled, I guess." Coach seemed to accept that and went back to his dugout. The hit batsman, lead off hitter made it to second but got put out at third on an infield single, fielder's choice so no more runs because of this blunder. Anyway, West coach admitted that his guys just did not hit the ball with runners in scoring position and hit into at least three DP's over the course of the evening including a game ending one with two runners in scoring position and one out in top of the 6th. Final score 6-4. All's well that ends well I guess. I hated to admit I blew it but I guess I did. How do you avoid getting fooled by hitters like I did tonight? Hind sight is 20-20 and now I think the kid did get hit in the strike zone. I should have called dead ball, stay there batter, strike one due to batter setting up with hands, arms and shoulders in the strike zone before the pitch. Even though he did turn his back to the ball and take the pitch in the strike zone in the upper back .