Intent to swing

[BigUmp56]

Was the pitch coming straight at him? If so I think we need to consider that this is just an 11 year old kid trying to protect himself. Yea, I know it could be considered as an attempt, but that's not a call I'm going to make on an 11 year old. Bigger boys, sure, but not in kiddie ball.


Tim.

[JRutledge]

Would you call a ball on a batter that clearly bailed out on a curve ball just because they are kids? The age has little or nothing to do with this. If the kid did not swing at the pitch, it would not be a strike.

Peace

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by JRutledge

Would you call a ball on a batter that clearly bailed out on a curve ball just because they are kids? The age has little or nothing to do with this. If the kid did not swing at the pitch, it would not be a strike.

Peace

Jeff,

That's why I asked if the ball was coming straight at him. Not an illusion, right at him. If so, that's not a call I'm willing to make. There's a difference between being afraid of being hit and defending yourself against that inevitabiltiy.


Tim.

[JRutledge]

Personally I would not care what the age of the players is. If the batter took a swipe at the ball and missed, it is a strike. If they do not want to get called for a strike, then do not strike at the ball. Just like I would call a foul ball if a batter ducked and the ball hit the bat.

Of course this is a judgment call, but I would not in the least hesitate to call a strike at all levels. The fact the coach used the "he was protecting himself" does not wash. The age of the players is relevant. There are 11 year olds that are perfectly capable of reacting appropriately to these types of situations.

Peace

[njdevs00cup]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Was the pitch coming straight at him? If so I think we need to consider that this is just an 11 year old kid trying to protect himself. Yea, I know it could be considered as an attempt, but that's not a call I'm going to make on an 11 year old. Bigger boys, sure, but not in kiddie ball.


Tim.

Tim,

The kid bailed and took a chop swing (looked like a lumberjack splitting wood). Since the kid move straight back away from the plate and the swing was in the vicinity of the ball, I called it a strike. It was not a situation where the kid turned and brought the bat around with him. The swing, from my point of view, was to prevent the ball from hitting him, but with the intention of striking the ball.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

Tim,

The kid bailed and took a chop swing (looked like a lumberjack splitting wood). Since the kid move straight back away from the plate and the swing was in the vicinity of the ball, I called it a strike. It was not a situation where the kid turned and brought the bat around with him. The swing, from my point of view, was to prevent the ball from hitting him, but with the intention of striking the ball.

I had it envisioned that he'd put the bat up in front of him as a sheild to protect himself.


Tim.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

with the intention of striking the ball.

That's all you need, and all you should tell the coach.

[ozzy6900]

"Hmmmm! Let's see there coach. Hands holding bat, bat hits ball, ball goes foul/fair. What more do you want?"