Quote:
Originally posted by GarthB
Depends on the level and the pitch.
In big boy ball, batters, at least those well coached, know that they have to stand in on the breaking ball or they'd be bailing on hittable pitches. I give much more leeway on breaking pitches.
If a change up is coming in, and to some degree, a fastball, I want to see some indication that the batter did not intentionally "take the hit", even if he did. Give me SOMETHING, a twitch, a turn, a move, some acknowledgment that the player knows he should attempt to avoid.
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I'm with Garth for most of this: it depends on the level and the pitch. I use the batter's box as my guide, and I tend to give progressively more protection the further back into the box the pitch travels.
I have to see something, anything, from the batter on a breaking ball that doesn't. Even if hanging in, the batter still has some small time to react on that very late breaking pitch that cuts through the box.
OTOH, if it's a fast ball or a change-up straight through the box then at the level I call the batter seldom has any time to react before being hit. I give them the base anyway.
If the batter is well inside the box when hit by a fast ball or change up, it's an automatic 1st base. If it's a curve, then I need to see at least a flinch or a twitch. Statues that get hit by curve balls are kept where they are. Hitters who put themselves in harms way also get to stay at home.
Hope this helps
Cheers