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-   -   Switch Hitter's Rights (https://forum.officiating.com/baseball/101978-switch-hitters-rights.html)

Pallando Sun Dec 18, 2016 03:53pm

Switch Hitter's Rights
 
Another player told me this and I'd like to know if it's true:

A switch hitter is in the middle of an at-bat (first pitch already thrown) and the batter decides to change sides. So he walks across or in front of the plate and takes his stance in the opposite box. My teammate says he's out because he must walk BEHIND the umpire and notify him he is switching batting sides.

Is this in any part true? If so,
* Does the ump just call him out?
* Must he be tagged?
* Must the other team protest first?
* Any other details to be considered?

Thanks.

bob jenkins Sun Dec 18, 2016 04:25pm

Almost none of what you posted is true.

The batter is only out if he switches boxes while the pitcher is in a position ready to pitch. (The specific wording might vary depending on the rules code, but the concept is the same.)

And, even then, the umpire just declares the batter out -- no tagging, not "protesting" (the word you want is "appealing.")

udbrky Sun Dec 18, 2016 04:48pm

How dumb would a person have to be to not realize that the batter changing boxes is not hitting from the other side? This isn't like an eligible receiver situation in FB.

Pallando Sun Dec 18, 2016 07:25pm

Not a Question of Intelect
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by udbrky (Post 995199)
How dumb would a person have to be to not realize that the batter changing boxes is not hitting from the other side? This isn't like an eligible receiver situation in FB.

I don't know what intelligence has to do with this. The main issue here is getting dinged for walking in front of the plate and onto the infield, not so much informing the umpire. No one would be trying to fool the umpire: of course the ump can see him. But as you know, baseball has rules handed down by tradition, and likely others carried on down from the slow-ball era, and IF a rule concerning switching sides of the plate existed, which apparently it does not, it would, in my opinion, just be accepted as "one of those funny baseball rules".

P.

Pallando Sun Dec 18, 2016 07:38pm

Thanks
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by bob jenkins (Post 995198)
Almost none of what you posted is true.
...
[Regarding] "protesting" (the word you want is "appealing.")

Bob Jenkins:
Thanks for setting me straight on this. I've been wondering its veracity for decades. Also I appreciate the correction on my baseball vernacular.
Pallando

MD Longhorn Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:27am

Quote:

Originally Posted by udbrky (Post 995199)
How dumb would a person have to be to not realize that the batter changing boxes is not hitting from the other side? This isn't like an eligible receiver situation in FB.

What an incredibly bizarre question.

Rich Ives Mon Dec 19, 2016 11:31am

Quote:

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn (Post 995240)
What an incredibly bizarre question.

But driven by bizarre rule myth beliefs.

ozzy6900 Mon Dec 19, 2016 12:50pm

Old wife's tale "The batter is always out if he steps on the plate." This is only true if he makes contact with the ball while stepping on the plate.

Rich Ives Mon Dec 19, 2016 01:07pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ozzy6900 (Post 995257)
Old wife's tale "The batter is always out if he steps on the plate." This is only true if he makes contact with the ball while stepping on the plate.

Sometimes.

Depends on the rules in use.


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