Ump Intentially Hit By Pitch?

[GoodScout]

This play took place during the GHSA championship game over the weekend. Stephens County is pitching to Cartersville, that went on to win the game and the title 13-1.
http://www.workhorsevideoproductions...he%20pitch.mpg

Crew didn't respond with any ejections, as it couldn't ascertain that the action was intentional, but GHSA is waiting for the school's investigation to be complete before it decides if further action is needed.
http://www.ajc.com/highschool/conten...ge_tab_newstab

Question is, was the action intentional? If so, what should be the penalty?

[mbyron]

If intentional, eject those involved. Whether it's intentional: HTBT.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

I can't get the video to open, but I will give my opinion of what to do if a pitch and catcher conspire to hit the PU with a pitch.

1) The PU will know that he was intentionally hit. How? The team will have been complaining about his balls and strike calling. The complaining will start early in the game; it will be by the team's batters, pitcher, catcher, and coaches.

2) After the PU has told everybody concerned to knock off the nonsense, the team will find small but detectable ways to show their displeasure at the PU's strike zone.

3) Finally, the catcher will set up way outside the pitch will come straight down the middle; the catcher will make no effort to catcht the pitch; and the PU will be hit by the pitch square in the middle of the chest.

4) When that happens, the pitcher, catcher, and head coach are gone.

MTD, Sr.

[d26]

The vid, IMHO, shows a FU pitch based on C's actions in frame by frame mode.

[dash_riprock]

Dump the battery, the HC, anyone who laughs, ban them all for life, and pull the baseball program for a year at least.

[RKBUmp]

That was intentional. The catcher pretended to be blocking a pitch in the dirt, but the pitch started out high and never dropped. Even the best breaking ball doesnt drop that much.

I saw something similar in a softball game. Coach had been on umps all night about every single call. They finally told him one more word and he was gone. Next batter, inside pitch, catcher leans way to the side, lets ball go by, but it missed the ump. Ump went and got the UIC and asked that he watched the rest of the game because he expected more trouble. Later that night I was talking with UIC and he asked my opinion if it was intentional or not. I told him that in my opinion it most certainly was, catcher made blatant attempt to move to let ball pass.

[waltjp]

Definitely intentional. For those that didn't see the video, the catcher starts to drop to his knees as if blocking a pitch in the dirt just after the pitcher releases the ball.

Catcher, gone! Pitcher, gone! If the manager or anyone else makes a peep, gone!

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

They finally told him one more word and he was gone.

"Word!"

[David B]

Originally Posted by Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.

I can't get the video to open, but I will give my opinion of what to do if a pitch and catcher conspire to hit the PU with a pitch.

1) The PU will know that he was intentionally hit. How? The team will have been complaining about his balls and strike calling. The complaining will start early in the game; it will be by the team's batters, pitcher, catcher, and coaches.

2) After the PU has told everybody concerned to knock off the nonsense, the team will find small but detectable ways to show their displeasure at the PU's strike zone.

3) Finally, the catcher will set up way outside the pitch will come straight down the middle; the catcher will make no effort to catcht the pitch; and the PU will be hit by the pitch square in the middle of the chest.

4) When that happens, the pitcher, catcher, and head coach are gone.

MTD, Sr.

Won't happen to me because if the catcher moves way outside, I move with him.

I believe Carl used to say that if F2 sets up out of the strike zone then he doesn't want the pitch to be a strike, so I give him what he wants.

But you are right, the PU will know what's going on.

Thanks
David

[LakeErieUmp]

Walt - to me it looked like PU was willing to shake it off and give them the benefit of the doubt. Of course, he couldn't see what F2 did.
I wonder how he feels NOW if he sees the slo-mo replay

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by LakeErieUmp

Walt - to me it looked like PU was willing to shake it off and give them the benefit of the doubt. Of course, he couldn't see what F2 did.
I wonder how he feels NOW if he sees the slo-mo replay

Four-man crew I think. There were 3 other umps who were there and saw it all. If they don't pull the string themselves they should have told the PU exactly what they saw and let him toss them. If I'm working the bases and witness something like this I'll give my partner a moment to collect his thoughts and do the right thing but if he doesn't I will.

[TussAgee11]

I can understand that it might be difficult for PU to realize what has happened. He's just tracking a pitch.

If anyone has had this happen to them before, did you know it right when it happened? Did you get some help from BU to assure yourself of what you think happened?

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by GoodScout

Question is, was the action intentional? If so, what should be the penalty?

That's the way I'd call it. Catcher starts to put glove up, pulls it down and ducks.

F1, F2, HC would be done for the day.

[Blue37]

The article said it was a fastball, but, watching the pitcher's arm motion, I thought it was a breaking ball that did not break. If it was a fastball, it was pretty weak for a state final, or even an average high school pitcher. I do think it was intentional, based on the catcher's actions. His drop was too exagerated.

[jdmara]

wow...that's about all I can say...

-Josh