DB Strike in Little League

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

Actually what I was thinking of was this:
Batter swings and misses at the pitch, and it hits him/her.

The scenario that was described to me was that the ball hit the batter on the hand as he swung and (presumably) went into fair territory. Defense throws the BR out at 1st for the out.

I was under the impression that if the ball hits the hands, it's a dead ball, HBP. And that since the batter swung, it would be a strike on the batter.

She think's I'm splitting hairs, because it sounds like he had two strikes already and would be out either way, but I am curious to know if I am correct about this rule or not.

You would be right, the batter is out on the third strike, dead ball. You call, "Time, strike 3." Then get ready for the coach to tell you that "the hands are part of the bat." Then you get to explain how they most definitely are not! Tell the lady you aren't splitting hairs, you are correctly stating the rule.

What if he would have been safe at first? Then it wouldn't be splitting hairs, it would have just been a travesty instead!