Hit by pitch

[BrienWorrell]

The pitcher throws the ball, the ball bounces (hits the ground) - then it hits the batter. The batter did make the attempt to move. The call is? Is the ball still live? What if it where to cross the strike zone? I do know that if the batter swings that it is live.

Please post using NFHS rules or MHSAA. Thank you for your comments.

[David Van Milligen]

"The pitcher throws the ball, the ball bounces (hits the ground) - then it hits the batter. The batter did make the attempt to move. The call is? Is the ball still live? What if it where to cross the strike zone? I do know that if the batter swings that it is live"

Any time a batter is HBP, the ball is dead. Even in the stike zone, even if swong at, even if bounces in. If it is swong at or in the strike zone, it is a strike, and unless strike three, the batter stays. The batter needs to make an attempt to avoid the ball, for a free walk to first.

[Gre144]

I remember a thread about this subject around a month ago. It seemed like many umpires felt that it would be difficult for a batter to move out of the way of a pitch that hits the ground first because he is not use to the ball coming up at him from the ground. I think you could technically give him walk even if he doesn't get out of the way.

That's entirely judgement and you can do whatever you deem correct as far as whether he tried to avoid or not.

[joemoore]

Just to be clear, if the ball bounces through the strike zone or bounces and then hits the batter in the strike zone, it's not a strike.

[Gee]

Originally posted by joemoore
Just to be clear, if the ball bounces through the strike zone or bounces and then hits the batter in the strike zone, it's not a strike.

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You are right. A pitch that bounces before it reaches the batter cannot be called a strike unless the batter swings and misses or it is a foul tip. If the foul tip is on the third strike the batter is out just like any other foul tip third strike.

[Hayes Davis]

Originally posted by Michael Taylor
That's entirely judgement and you can do whatever you deem correct as far as whether he tried to avoid or not.

We all know that when the pitch is in-flight there is a responsibility placed on the batter to at least attempt to get out of the way. Other words, at least make it look good.

However, under Rule 2.00 Ball, this measure of avoidance is not listed. "If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone, it is a 'ball.' If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base." As one can see there appears to be an automatic awarding of first base when the batter is hit by a pitch that bounces.

[joemoore]

Is this called often (batter hit by pitch called a ball). I watch players duck on curve balls that are called strikes, then when they stand in on the fast ball and get hit waiting for it to curve I've never refused to send the batter to first.

[Patrick Szalapski]

Originally posted by Hayes Davis

We all know that when the pitch is in-flight there is a responsibility placed on the batter to at least attempt to get out of the way. Other words, at least make it look good.

However, under Rule 2.00 Ball, this measure of avoidance is not listed. "If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone, it is a 'ball.' If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base." As one can see there appears to be an automatic awarding of first base when the batter is hit by a pitch that bounces.

By intent of the rule, that's an oversight--the usual result of a pitch touching the batter is an award of first. Therefore, when the above rule was written, they were a little careless and simply wrote the rule above without realizing the logical consequences of that wording.

I agree, though, we give the batter the benefit of the doubt, realizing it may be hard to avoid a pitch that has bounced.

Also, we should keep in mind that the NCAA HBP rule is a little different, should this situation arise at that level.

P-Sz