Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy
Why is it necessary for the offense (batter) to compensate for a defensive mistake (pitch in the batter's box) by having to make an attempt to avoid the errant pitch in order to be rewarded with first base?
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The problem is, Im not really sure I have ever seen anyone actually call the rule the way it is written. The rule states if the ball is entirely within the batters box no attempt to avoid is required. The ball has to be a fair distance off the plate in order to be completely in the box yet its common practice if the batter is hit and it wasnt a strike the batter is automatically awarded 1st regardless of if an attempt was made to avoid or not. So why not crowd the plate and try to take the inside corner away?
As you are aware I called a girl back to the plate last year in the first round of state playoffs and immediatly had an irate coach on my hands. It was obvious as the game got closer to the end the one team had several batters purposely crowding the plate trying to get hit by the inside pitch.
Every umpire has their own pet peeve with certain rules, this is just mine. Even looking at it from a players standpoint I dont see it as a good rule.