Quote:
Originally posted by GeorgeC
The question is about bunting what constitutes when a batter "offers". The only reference to "offering" that I can find is in 5.03 OBR with no explanation as to what is offering.
My partner says if a child squares to bunt but makes no additional motion to "go after the ball" and the pitch is wild, it's a ball. He feels you have to make some additional motion after squaring or else it is not a strike. I'm on the other side of the table. I believe taking the bat off his shoulder and squaring is the "traditional" method of offering and if he does not retract his bat, it doesn't matter if the pitch is caught by Aunt Millie in row 7, it's a strike.
I was susprised when I could not find any reference to the mechanics of bunting in any of my usual reference sites, accumulated reference materials and nothing beyond 5.03 in the OBR. Would appreciate some feedback here as well as references. We do a lot of training of young umpires in our league and it would help to have someplace authoritative to point to on this rather than just "tradition", thanks.
|
George,
Your partner is 100% correct. The answer you are seeking lies in a seemingly unlikely place: the definition of A BALL in OBR 2.00. It says inter alia that A BALL is a pitch which is
not struck at by the batter. That is why it is a ball if the batter squares to bunt (ie takes a bunt
stance) and subsequently does not strike at (read "offer at") the pitch.
In the case you mention, the batter did NOT strike at the pitch simply because he left the bat in the zone. The position of the ball is the most relevant issue here. If the ball passes in proximity to the bat, the umpire might adjudge that the batter actually offered at the pitch (ie attempted to strike the ball), even if the bat remained motionless. Most times, however, the umpire should be looking for some attempt to make contact with the ball, especially when the pitch is not in proximity to the initial position of the bat.
Withdrawing the bat is NOT required in order to prove there was no intent to strike at the pitch, but it is a much safer course for the batter to take. If the bat remains motionless over the plate, however, and the pitch passes by outside the zone and in no proximity to the bat, then we have A BALL by definition. (see also OBR 2.00 Definition of A BUNT)
Cheers,
Warren Willson