hit by pitch-need ruling

[Tim C]

I guess we will have to "agree to disagree" -- turning one's back and allowing a ball to hit them (as long as they are not in the strike zone) is enough for me to award the base.

A2D

[Rich]

The onus, to me, is NEVER on the batter.

The PITCHER threw the ball into the batter's box. The PITCHER lost control of the pitch. To me, it has to be OBVIOUS that the batter made no attempt to avoid. To me, even a flinch at the last second qualifies.

Even 0.01% doubt in my mind, that batter is awarded first.

I had a play in a game the other week where the Legion pitcher was up in the high 80s. He threw a fastball right into the batter, who didn't move.

The catcher and pitcher both complained, but the batter still got first. If I don't think *I* could've gotten out of the way of the ball, why should I expect the batter to?

Rich