Quote:
Originally Posted by rbmartin
This would be my definition as well (provided the ball is still live at time of contact).
I understand the rule very well and agree with both of you gentlemen. However, in researching a previously posted question (regarding a foul tip in which the batter made no effort to swing) I could not find a definition of "batted ball" which would have definitively settled the matter. (although the rules sited by jicecone should be enough for any rational person.)
In one of Carl Childress's books the encouraged umpires to read and memorize the rules in order to prevent controversy , which I try to do. I was just looking for the most expedient way to end the discussion should it come up in a game. I can envision an idiot coach saying "It doesn't matter if the ball went sharply and directly into the catchers mitt. My player did not intend to swing therefore the ball was not a batted ball."
I wanted to have a rule memorized to stop such lunacy.
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Everyone knows that if the batter ducks, makes no attempt to swing, and the pitch hits the bat it's a batted ball. Use that.