Quote:
Originally Posted by mbcrowder
Sure.
I think the default is award the base. I'm not awarding the base only in cases where it's OBVIOUS that the batter (including whatever information I have that is relevant - speed of pitch, ability/age of batter, did the ball bounce, etc) intentionally failed to avoid the pitch. Freezing in fear or tensing to absorb the hit (as a lot of the younger ones will do) is not intentionally failing to avoid the pitch. Seeing the ball coming in, relaxing and watching it plunk your ankle IS - no base. Leaning in to put an elbow or knee in the way of a ball that was not going to hit the batter IS - no base.
This happened Saturday - batter put her knee out to get hit. no base ... and no argument at all, not even from her own parents.
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I argee the default to to award.
When NOT awarding, I believe it requires (For good practices) a very quick and decisive call.
I go with "DEAD BALL, BATTER STAY RIGHT HERE!" as I point to her batter's box. That may or may not require an explanation, but you were clearly making an immediate rulling based on gut at the time.
I had this is a 16U champ game one time. Coach came out and asked for me to check with partners. (Yes, I know - no need, but as our "be accommodating gesture" i did confer with partners.) They both said "I would not have called that." I simply said - I DID call it. We broke and I announced "CALL STANDS" and we played on. No issues.