[rbmartin]

Last night. Junior high level game. FED rules. I am HP. 2 outs. 2 strikes on batter. Pitcher throws a curveball that didn't curve. Batter swings aggressively at the ball (waaay out in front of pitch) and pitch hits him directly in the center of the chest. I signal dead ball and say "strike 3, batters out!" No argument from batter, but coach comes out and does not argue the strikeout call, but wonders why his BR was not able to attempt to advance to 1st because the catcher didn't catch a 3rd strike. I explain that when a ball contacts the batter for any reason, it immediately becomes dead. He looks at me like I'm speaking chinese.