fake bunts

[Rbn3]

A little league team has been coached to take pitches by squaring around to bunt, then waving the bat back and forth over the plate (obviously trying to distract the pitcher) and then drawing the bat back. Usually the waving continues to the point of release or after. Does not the umpire need to call a strike if the bat is moving forward over the plate after a pitch is released?


A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which_
(a) Is struck at by the batter and is missed;

Also, is this not offensive interference?

(a) Offensive interference is an act by the team at bat which interferes with, obstructs, impedes, hinders or confuses any fielder attempting to make a play. If the umpire declares the batter, batter runner, or a runner out for interference, all other runners shall return to the last base that was in the judgment of the umpire, legally touched at the time of the interference, unless otherwise provided by these rules. In the event the batter runner has not reached first base, all runners shall return to the base last occupied at the time of the pitch.

It's neither just a pain. If you call strikes for anything close it usually makes the problem go away. If they leave it in the zone and waving as the pitch crosses the plate then I would call it an offer and call the strike everytime. I find it a bush league thing to do and should be discouraged. But the thing to remember is it is not illegal.

[BJ Moose]

You are completely right... and, contrary to the other poster, I can find multiple rules that applied with my judgement make this BUSH league crapola ILLEGAL.

Amazingly...(and I really dont care) LL National says this is legal.. I say, screw 'em.. when I call LL game, it is ILLEGAL.

Your rule citation is good. Also, look at the rule citation about act designed to make pitcher balk. 2.0 defn of interference. And, finally, since it is LL, catcher safety. AND my freakin safety! Why in heck would I allow a kid to WAVE A BAT WILDLY in front of the catcher, who's job is to PROTECT ME from getting hit with pitched balls.

Be protactive. The first wild waver.. stop play and WARN both benches. Cut if off.

Mike B
EWS

[joemoore]

I agree with Moose.

Umpires have discretion over unsportsmanlike conduct. Let both teams know you consider it unsporting and that the next offender who waves the bat wildly will be ejected.

I also like your solution, to call a swinging strike if he waves the bat with the ball in flight, very creative!

[Rbn3]

I asked my 11 year old son about this situation - his answer seemed to hit it right on - Geez dad, that's unsportsmanlike! He also mentioned that as a pitcher, he might get so distracted that he could accidently hit a batter. I thought I saw a twinkle in his eye when he said it, so I immediately reminded him that throwing at a batter, no matter how obnoxious his behavior, is absolutely forbidden in baseball at any level and in this house.

[whiskers_ump]

I know you are talking baseball here, but
in one major softball organization, AFA
(American Fastpitch Association) if the
batter leaves the bat over the plate, re-
gardless of where the pitch is, it shall
be called a strike.

[Tim C]

. . . I would never work a softball game.

Small diamond ball should include teaching, we can teach by following Moose's process and everyone will come out a head.

[Jim Porter]

Moose: Your safety? You're worried about a little waggling of the bat? Well, you know, it's even more dangerous for you when they all-out swing! I'd switch to a raft if I were you.

Rbn3: What is your son doing throwing at batters in your house???

T Alan: No softball? Really? Women's fast-pitch can be quite a treat every once in awhile. (grin)

[whiskers_ump]

We know that we have a strike when bat
over plate and dont have to check around
to see if others would call "Wagging the
bat" a strike.