Bunt attempt turns into HBP

[wadeintothem]

Originally Posted by waltjp

If the pitcher delivers a pitch at the batter's head and the ball strikes the bat as the batter is ducking it's a fair or foul ball, depending on where the ball comes to rest. This is not an attempt to hit the ball.

Slightly different situation - assume the pitch is inside and the batter spins to get out of the way and the ball strikes the bat. Again, the ball has been struck with the bat and will be fair or foul depending on where the ball comes to rest or is fielded. This is not an attempt either.

If the batter was hit on the hands in either of these situations it's a dead ball, hit by pitch.

Correct.. however, thats not what was being discussed by the OP.

The description which was ".. brought the handle of the bat up immediately to block the ball."

That is described as an attempt to hit the ball with the bat.

[SanDiegoSteve]

Sorry Walt, I didn't see your post. Oh well, a little corroboration couldn't hurt!

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Correct.. however, thats not what was being discussed by the OP.

The description which was ".. brought the handle of the bat up immediately to block the ball."

That is described as an attempt to hit the ball with the bat.

I would venture that SAUmp was trying to say that the batter was acting instinctively to protect his face, not necessarily with the bat, but his hand. Either way, it was not a bunt attempt, or an attempted swing, or I'm sure SAUmp would have called it a strike.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Sorry Walt, I didn't see your post. Oh well, a little corroboration couldn't hurt!

Both Walt and Steve have correctly described what I saw. That was the entire reason for the thread. I couldn't believe the offensive coach would question why I would award his batter first base. That coach had NO reason to question my judgment on an event that went his way. His actions struck me like a bolt of lightning and threw me off balance. I couldn't get a grip on a reason. I thought I handled things well with the defensive coach too. He probably would have never even come out on the first play. I'm trying to do the best I can with the situation as presented.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Sorry Walt, I didn't see your post. Oh well, a little corroboration couldn't hurt!

Always good to know when you and your partner are on the same page.

[Blue37]

Originally Posted by waltjp

Slightly different situation - assume the pitch is inside and the batter spins to get out of the way and the ball strikes the bat. Again, the ball has been struck with the bat and will be fair or foul depending on where the ball comes to rest or is fielded. This is not an attempt either.

If the batter tries to use the bat to keep the pitch from hitting him but misses, is it an attempt?

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by Blue37

If the batter tries to use the bat to keep the pitch from hitting him but misses, is it an attempt?

Yes it is ...

[bigda65]

I also believe that this is an attempt.

"an attempt out of self defense" but none the less an attempt.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Blue37

If the batter tries to use the bat to keep the pitch from hitting him but misses, is it an attempt?

The $64,000 question is - did the batter attempt to hit the ball with the bat? If you answered 'yes' then that's an attempt.

[SAump]

The next batter was hit in the chest by the very next pitch. This was a NO brainer and another run scored. Now it was I who appeared confused as I yelled, "Warning" to both teams. Here comes the home coach to ask why I had issued a warning to his pitcher. I called for my partner to explain my actions to him first and to let the coach wait for me. I needed to make sure my words were appropriate. My partner thought it was legit and then I explained myself to the coach. In hindsight, I wished I would have told the coach straight out.

Look coach, I witnessed two hitters take fastballs between the shoulder blades after squaring to bunt the pitch. I am not saying those pitches were intentional or your pitcher would have been ejected. I am saying that he almost hit two people in the face and if another pitch comes close to a batter's head, then I am going to eject both of you. The coach is just angry and trying to justify his situation with the old "this is baseball" story. I tell the coach the next baseball better make contact below the shoulder blades.

Originally Posted by BretMan

FED rules do not proscribe "team warnings", nor warnings to both teams in a HBP situation.

You've been watching to many pro games on TV.

After careful consideration, I now admit that any high school coach in the state of Texas should not be ejected along with the pitcher. It would be a stretch to consider that I am absolutely positive that a coach was involved in coaching this very unsportsman-like conduct, unless his internet umpire moniker is 3appleshigh.