Advice needed on "Hands part of the bat" myth

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

I had a game end this year with the final batter of the game striking out on a ball which hit his hands. R3 was the tying run. "Dead ball, the ball hit the batter while swinging." To my complete shock and surprise their was no arguement or questions.

I would have argued with an umpire saying "Dead ball."

[aschramm]

I had this situation happen to me tonight.

U14 game, FED rules, batter squares to bunt. Pitch is inside, batter pulls his bat infront of his body (toward the pitchers mound) and tries to turn out of the way. The pitch hits him in his hands. I, PU, award the batter first base. The opposing coach disagreed, saying that since he still had his bat out as if he were bunting (but while trying to avoid the pitch), that it should be a foul ball. I discussed this with my partner, and we still awarded the batter first base. Between innings, the opposing coach came out to discuss this with me again, and he said "But aren't the hands part of the bat?" I said "No, coach they aren't". And that was all that was said.

Now looking at the rule book, it states that the batter is awarded if a pitch hits any part of his body (exception - if he doesn't try to move out of the way). I believe i got this call correct. Can anyone confirm this or put in their judgment?

Thanks

[UmpJM]

aschramm,

As described, you freakin' NAILED it.

Do not ever question yourself again on this point.

JM

[UmpTTS43]

While checking equipment prior to a FED game, one of the bats had the batter's batting gloves attached. I looked at the coach and said "wow, I guess the hands are a part of the bat." To his credit, he just looked at me and rolled his eyes.

[aschramm]

Thanks UmpJM. I was pretty sure I had the call correct. The problem was that I was still thinking about it for the rest of the game (another 1 1/2 innings), and couldn't completely shake it off (and it was definitely distracting while trying to call balls and strikes). But after reading through the rule again, and reading through this thread, I'm glad I know that I made the correct call.

[johnnyg08]

good job! sometimes even though we think we know the rule...often times teams can place an ounce of doubt in us and it tears us up worse than anybody else on the field because we want to get them right...this is esp the case when you're working 1 man.

I could sit here and tell you that you need to move forward and not think about it after making the call...but I'd be lying if I said I've never doubted myself after the fact. Good job...it always feels good to get reassured that you got the play right.

[GA Umpire]

Here is one I didn't notice in the myth list or anyone seem to mention.

For OBR, it is a balk with runners on base and the 1B/3B has one or both feet in foul territory.

I recalled this one b/c I heard of a 3 man crew where the 3B umpire called it a balk and no one corrected it.

Another myth holding true.