I was asked the other day how I would call this one. If a player turns to bunt and does not pull the bat back is it a strike no matter where the ball goes. The player does not hit the ball and does not make any movement with the bat. The ball does not cross in the strike zone. Is this a strike. I said that he did not offer at the ball so I would call it a ball. What does everyone else think?

Thanks,
Doug

You are correct.

You are correct, but not everyone will think so.

This is something only good umpires know. Coaches will disagree, and so will the umps at the back table, drinking and saying I've done this for 25 years, at the rules meetings who umpire with the Baseball Code of Myths.

Coaches will disagree, and so will the umps at the back table, drinking and saying I've done this for 25 years, at the rules meetings who umpire with the Baseball Code of Myths.

PAblue87: That (above) is who I meant by
"not everyone will agree with you."

Doug -

In your scenario when the batter turns does his bat cross the plate? If it does then I would call it a strike. If the batter just turns in the box and positions himself in the box to butt without offering at the pitch then yes, a ball is the call.

Good luck.

Crossing the plate has nothing to do with it. Neither does "breaking the wrists." There must ne an attempt to hit the ball. No attempt and ball not in the zone - BALL!

The Baseball Code of Myths! One of us ought to write it, in the same order and numbering as the rule book. For every section in the book, there's at least one myth. Certainly "it's a strike unless the batter pulls the bat back" is one of them.

Your hands are part of the bat
Any time you don't have to tag the runner, it's a force play
You're automatically out when you run out of the baseline
You get the base you're returning to plus one

Etc.

Try this for a "Top 40 Myths" list

http://www.eteamz.com/baseball/rules/obr/myths/