Quote:
Originally posted by Dakota
Situation:
16U, ASA rules.
Batter is hit on the leg by a moderate fast ball - not a screamer, but still a fast ball. She makes no attempt at any motion - doesn't turn, doesn't flinch, doesn't back up, nothin'... (This kid had already hit a fast ball from this same pitcher 200+ feet into left field - so reaction time is not her problem.) I call "dead ball," batter drops bat and starts trotting to 1st. I call her back - "dead ball, ball three, batter made no attempt to avoid the pitch."
Coach goes ballistic - see my other post on "should I have ejected."
My question, here, is not a rules question, but a judgment question. I know, by rule, my call was correct.
My second guessing was because it was a fast ball pitch.
What do you think? Have you ever ruled the batter made no attempt to avoid on a (moderate) fast ball? 16U.
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Nothing in rule 8.1.F about the speed of a pitch which strikes a batter. For that matter, it doesn't say anything about an attempt to avoid being hit being intentional. Therefore, even those with "deer in the headlight" syndrome could possibly be ruled to have made no attempt to avoid the pitch.
I know it would go over like a lead balloon, but it could happen
