Out or continue at bat?

[scrounge]

Out, of course. The definition of a bunt:

2-8-1: A bunt is a fair ball in which the batter does not swing to hit the ball, but holds the bat in the path of the ball to tap it slowly to the infield. If an attempt to bunt is a foul ball, it is treated the same as any other foul ball, except that if the attempt is by a batter who has two strikes, such batter is out as in 7-4-1e.

By holding the bat motionless, was he holding the bat in the path of the ball? That's exactly what he did - it couldn't have hit the bat if it wasn't in the path of the ball. Now if he tried to pull it back or give SOME indication that he was taking evasive action? Different story. But if he's just going to stand there like a goof? Learn to bunt better, enjoy your short walk back to the dugout.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by scrounge

Out, of course. The definition of a bunt:

2-8-1: A bunt is a fair ball in which the batter does not swing to hit the ball, but holds the bat in the path of the ball to tap it slowly to the infield. If an attempt to bunt is a foul ball, it is treated the same as any other foul ball, except that if the attempt is by a batter who has two strikes, such batter is out as in 7-4-1e.

By holding the bat motionless, was he holding the bat in the path of the ball? That's exactly what he did - it couldn't have hit the bat if it wasn't in the path of the ball. Now if he tried to pull it back or give SOME indication that he was taking evasive action? Different story. But if he's just going to stand there like a goof? Learn to bunt better, enjoy your short walk back to the dugout.

The ball hit the bat. On the knob. No way was it an attempt to tap the ball.

Foul ball.

[thumpferee]

Are we all this bored?

Mr DeNucci, please read ur other OP, illegal player!

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Originally Posted by thumpferee

Are we all this bored?

Mr DeNucci, please read ur other OP, illegal player!

I am not umpiring this summer due to hip problems but both this play and the illegal player play were plays that have happened in baseball tournaments in which Mark, Jr., was umpiring. Neither play happened in his games but were the subject of lively discussions in the dressing room.

MTD, Sr.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Mark, Jr., and I are of the opinion that it is just a foul ball and not an out because of the Rule R2-S8-A1 and Casebook Play 7.2.1. Situation B.

MTD, Sr.

[bsaucer]

I remember watching an NCAA game where a batter squared to bunt and was hit by the pitch. As the batter trotted down to first base, the PU appealed to the BU, who signaled a strike. They then called the batter back to the plate. I don't think this was a third strike situation...

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by bsaucer

I remember watching an NCAA game where a batter squared to bunt and was hit by the pitch. As the batter trotted down to first base, the PU appealed to the BU, who signaled a strike. They then called the batter back to the plate. I don't think this was a third strike situation...

And if it was a third strike, the batter would be out. Has nothing to do with the OP where the ball hits the bat.

[flash350]

case book 7.2.1 B. The mere holding of the bat in the strike zone is not an attempt to bunt. (10.1.4a).

[Mbilica]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

The ball hit the bat. On the knob. No way was it an attempt to tap the ball.

Foul ball.

Unless he was holding the bat by the barrel!

Sent from my SM-G930P using Tapatalk

[Mountaincoach]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

The ball hit the bat. On the knob. No way was it an attempt to tap the ball.

Foul ball.

And if the same ball hit the same bat on the same knob and shot out into fair territory, what are you going to call then? Foul ball?

The situation described in the OP is very simple--batter is OUT. Attempt and intention has nothing to do with it.

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

And if the same ball hit the same bat on the same knob and shot out into fair territory, what are you going to call then? Foul ball? No - it's a batted ball - play it.

The situation described in the OP is very simple--batter is OUT. Attempt and intention has nothing to do with it. It does on a bunt because you are out on a "3rd strike" bunt that goes foul but not on just a plain batted ball that goes foul. A bunt is a batted ball INTENTIONALLY MET. No intent, no bunt.
Still a batted ball.

Understand the difference.

[LRZ]

Intent requires the exercise of judgment.

[Mountaincoach]

Originally Posted by Rich Ives

Understand the difference.

Can you quote that in the rule book? The "intention" part? Just trying to learn here.

Originally Posted by LRZ

Intent requires the exercise of judgment.

Agreed. If a player presents a bat over the plate and makes no attempt whatsoever to pull back or disengage from the pitch, that's quite a bit of intent.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

Can you quote that in the rule book? The "intention" part? Just trying to learn here.



Agreed. If a player presents a bat over the plate and makes no attempt whatsoever to pull back or disengage from the pitch, that's quite a bit of intent.

In softball, that's enough intent. In baseball, it's not.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by Mountaincoach

Can you quote that in the rule book? The "intention" part? Just trying to learn here.

It's only an out if the ball is bunted foul with two strikes. The definition of bunt is that the ball is intentionally met with the bat. Any other contact with the bat is played fair or foul as the case may be.