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.