Batter's Swing and Follow Through

[LittleLeagueBob]

Originally Posted by CoachJM

In FED, the batter is out, whether the "backswing contact" occurs before, during, or after the catcher controls the pitch.

In OBR, the catcher is allowed to continue his attempt to play on the runner if he is able. If his immediate initial throw results in an out on the runner, the out stands. Otherwise, the runner is returned and the batter is not out.

Yes, this is another one of the FED differences that I love so much...

Case Play 7.3.5 Situation F:

With R1 on third, one out and two strikes on B3, B3 swings at and misses the pitch. The ball bounces off F2’s glove into the air, where it is hit by B3’s follow-through. The ball rolls to the back stop. B3 reaches first base safely and R1 scores.
Ruling: The ball is dead immediately. B3 is out for interference and R1 returns to third base. A batter is entitled to an uninterrupted opportunity to hit the ball, just as the catcher is entitled to an uninterrupted opportunity to field the ball. Once the batter swings, he is responsible for his follow-through.


I had always thought once F2 didn't catch it cleanly, the batter shouldn't be penalized for it -- I had to read this case play several times b/c it didn't "feel" right..I guess not a huge deal b/c the odds of it happening probably are negligible...I'll enforce it, but I'll also give the coach a little more leeway when "discussing" it!

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by LittleLeagueBob

Yes, this is another one of the FED differences that I love so much...

Case Play 7.3.5 Situation F:

With R1 on third, one out and two strikes on B3, B3 swings at and misses the pitch. The ball bounces off F2’s glove into the air, where it is hit by B3’s follow-through. The ball rolls to the back stop. B3 reaches first base safely and R1 scores.
Ruling: The ball is dead immediately. B3 is out for interference and R1 returns to third base. A batter is entitled to an uninterrupted opportunity to hit the ball, just as the catcher is entitled to an uninterrupted opportunity to field the ball. Once the batter swings, he is responsible for his follow-through.


I had always thought once F2 didn't catch it cleanly, the batter shouldn't be penalized for it -- I had to read this case play several times b/c it didn't "feel" right..I guess not a huge deal b/c the odds of it happening probably are negligible...I'll enforce it, but I'll also give the coach a little more leeway when "discussing" it!

When you say this is an "NFHS" difference, please explain:

From the Jaksa/Roder manual (page 96):

Example 8: R2, 2 strikes on batter. Batter swings at pitch in the dirt, ball is blocked into the air by the catcher. Batter's backswing contacts ball and knocks it several feet away. Ruling: Batter is out, runner returns to second.

This is a clear OBR reference, so how is there a "FED difference?"

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

When you say this is an "NFHS" difference, please explain:

From the Jaksa/Roder manual (page 96):

Example 8: R2, 2 strikes on batter. Batter swings at pitch in the dirt, ball is blocked into the air by the catcher. Batter's backswing contacts ball and knocks it several feet away. Ruling: Batter is out, runner returns to second.

This is a clear OBR reference, so how is there a "FED difference?"

In the JR play, the pitch was strike three. The BR isn't allowed to advance on the weak interference. So, BR is out, even though it was an uncaught third strike.

I agree with the others that (a) the ruling has been in FED "forever", and (b) it's different from OBR.

[LMan]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

I agree with the others that (a) the ruling has been in FED "forever", and (b) it's different from OBR.

Yes, there is essentially no 'weak interference' provision in FED - its either BI (with the normal penalization) or nothing.

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

In the JR play, the pitch was strike three. The BR isn't allowed to advance on the weak interference. So, BR is out, even though it was an uncaught third strike.

I agree with the others that (a) the ruling has been in FED "forever", and (b) it's different from OBR.

Right, but in Little League Bob's example it was an uncaught strike three as well. I was just pointing out there is no difference from FED to OBR.

[LittleLeagueBob]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

Right, but in Little League Bob's example it was an uncaught strike three as well. I was just pointing out there is no difference from FED to OBR.

mrm -

I hadn't focused on the 3rd K aspect until now - thanks for the J/R example showing the similarity b/t FED & OBR in this case. I zoned in on the part that stated F2 "is entitled to an uninterrupted opportunity to field the ball. Once the batter swings, he is responsible for his follow-through." -- it seemed illogical that the batter should be penalized w/an out b/c of F2's inability to catch the ball -- how is the batter supposed to guess where the ball might end up and avoid it?? {rhetorical question}.

My BRD is at home - I'll check it tonight and post any clarification/correction it may have...thanks!

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

Right, but in Little League Bob's example it was an uncaught strike three as well. I was just pointing out there is no difference from FED to OBR.

Sorry. I was still on the OP, which had no D3K issues.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by PWL

Aren't back swing and follow through two different things entirely? Are they both being interpreted the same way?

When OBR uses "backswing" it means "follow through". I don't know how JR means it.

In all codes, if B1 hits F2's mitt on the (true) backswing (i.e., when getting the bat in a position to swing), then kill the play.