Batter hit by pitch.

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

First: we all know that the hands are not part of the bat.

Here is the situation (MTD, Jr. was behind that plate but not as the PU but as F2), using NFHS Rules: R1 with one out, and two balls and two strikes on the B1. Pitch is high and inside. B1 checks his swing but the ball hits B1's bat and then strikes the backstop for a foul ball. B1 claims the ball hit his hands. But the PU stays with his decision and Junior had no opinion as to whether the pitch hit B1's bat or hands.

The question that Junior and I have is: R1 with one out, and two balls and two strikes on the B1. Pitch is high and inside. B1 checks his swing but the ball hits B1's hands. The ball is dead immediately on contact with B1's hands. But since B1 had started to swing but was successful in checking his swing and was not trying to avoid being hit by the pitch do we ball three or do we have B1 being awarded first base.

Junior and I feel that B1 was doing what he was supposed to be doing and should be awarded first base because the pitch was not in the strike zone.

What say you?

MTD, Sr.

[Rich Ives]

If the umpire ruled thet it wasn't a strike (swing) then it's a HBP.

Curious - why would you think otherwise?

[waltjp]

If judged a swing it's a strike and time is called. If the batter checked his swing it's a HBP and he's awarded first base. If the catcher is smart he'll ask for an appeal on the swing.

[SanDiegoSteve]

It's a HBP because the batter did not intentionally allow the ball to hit him. It hit him in the course of his checking his swing, so he was not permitting the ball to hit him.

[mbyron]

Defensive rats always insist that "he has to get out of the way!" Don't buy into that line of thought: when feasible, the batter has to attempt to avoid the pitch.

The burden here is on the defense, which erred: I'm awarding 1B unless it's clear to me that the batter deliberately moved into the pitch or had ample opportunity to avoid a slow curve and didn't.

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by waltjp

If judged a swing it's a strike and time is called. If the batter checked his swing it's a HBP and he's awarded first base. If the catcher is smart he'll ask for an appeal on the swing.

But if PU is sure that he did not go, then he should delay for a bit, then ask softly to the BU.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by BigTex

But if PU is sure that he did not go, then he should delay for a bit, then ask softly to the BU.

Nonsense. People are not stupid and pick up on these "codes" quickly. Pro instruction is: "No! He didn't go!" That's good enough for me.

For those who are worried about saying he didn't go and then being overruled by our partner: consider that there's no substantive difference between saying "Ball!" and saying "He didn't go!" You'll be overruled no matter what you say.

[BigTex]

Originally Posted by mbyron

Nonsense. People are not stupid and pick up on these "codes" quickly. Pro instruction is: "No! He didn't go!" That's good enough for me.

For those who are worried about saying he didn't go and then being overruled by our partner: consider that there's no substantive difference between saying "Ball!" and saying "He didn't go!" You'll be overruled no matter what you say.

I guess I need to learn how to use those smiley things. Please check your sarcasm meter.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by BigTex

I guess I need to learn how to use those smiley things. Please check your sarcasm meter.

My sarcasm meter works fine. I don't know you: I don't know whether you're a dope posting sincerely or an umpire posting sarcastically. So yes, you need to learn to use the smileys to signal your irony.