OBR: Avoiding HBP

[njdevs00cup]

Does a batter have to avoid being hit by pitch when playing OBR's?

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by OBR

Rule 6.08: The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put
out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when—

(b) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball
is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to
avoid being touched by the ball.

By rule, the batter must make an attempt. It is umpire judgment what constitutes an attempt: a flinch, a slight turn, or any movement other than standing there and taking it (or moving into the pitch) are good enough.

So in practice, in most amateur ball umpires use something closer to the (new) FED rule: batter gets 1B provided that he doesn't move into the pitch.

[briancurtin]

I'll add in the NCAA ruling, 8.2.d.2 AR. The bold below is mine, but the underline is contained in the book.

Rule 8 - Base Running
Section 2 - The batter becomes a base runner:
d. When hit by a pitched ball at which the individual is not attempting to strike;
(2) If the batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball and the pitch is out of the strike zone, the pitch shall be called a ball. The ball is dead, and no runners may advance and the batter is not awarded first base.
A.R. - If the batter freezes and is hit by a pitch that is clearly inside the vertical lines of the batter's box, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base.

[SanDiegoSteve]

The only time I'll keep the batter in the box on HBP is if he intentionally moves into the pitch. An inside fastball doesn't always give much of a chance to try to avoid getting hit. That is why NCAA adds that approved ruling, which is how I rule in all games. It's a judgment thing.

[johnnyg08]

I agree w/ the others on here...I played enough to know that there are some pitches that are just going to hit me...if hitters don't move into the pitch, I'm awarding them 1B...I'm not bailing out a pitcher for throwing a crappy pitch.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by njdevs00cup

Does a batter have to avoid being hit by pitch when playing OBR's?

By rule, no.

The batter is required only to attempt to avoid. If he was required to avoid, we'd have a shooting gallery at times.

In practice, the attempt is a judgment call. Shouldn't take much. Unless the batter moves into a pitch, any motion should qualify. Otherwise, he is being penalized for a mistake by the pitcher.

[johnnyg08]

I've told a coach before...probably shouldn't have looking back on it, but I said that he did make an attempt...not a very good one...but the rule doesn't require the quality of attempt, just an attempt...he didn't like it...but oh well...I think he was begging anyway

[yawetag]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

If he was required to avoid, we'd have a shooting gallery at times.

If he was required to avoid the pitch, we'd never have one-base awards for HBP. Either he avoided (didn't hit him) or he didn't (he didn't avoid -- call a ball).

[Scottydog]

I know this is an old thread...but. If the batter does NOT attempt to move and he IS in the strike zone...what is the call? Simple strike, or is there penalty to batter?

[Ump Rube]

Originally Posted by Scottydog

I know this is an old thread...but. If the batter does NOT attempt to move and he IS in the strike zone...what is the call? Simple strike, or is there penalty to batter?

If the batter is in the zone, and is HBP. Then it is a dead-ball & a strike with NO award of 1B. Avoidance is of no concern in this situation.

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Scottydog

I know this is an old thread...but. If the batter does NOT attempt to move and he IS in the strike zone...what is the call? Simple strike, or is there penalty to batter?

If the batter and the ball are in the strike zone when the batter is HBP, it is a deadball strike. If it's strike three, he is out.

The additional penalty is usually a bruise. What did you have in mind?

[johnnyg08]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

If the batter and the ball are in the strike zone when the batter is HBP, it is a deadball strike. If it's strike three, he is out.

The additional penalty is usually a bruise. What did you have in mind?

Runners return to TOP as well. That could be an additional penalty

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by johnnyg08

Runners return to TOP as well. That could be an additional penalty

The question was "is there penalty to (the) batter? "

[johnnyg08]

I think it was covered above...but if the batters arms (or whatever part of his body) is in the strike zone and he's hit by a pitch, it is a dead ball strike. If it's strike three, it's a dead ball out and runners return to TOP base.

[Kevin Finnerty]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

The only time I'll keep the batter in the box on HBP is if he intentionally moves into the pitch. An inside fastball doesn't always give much of a chance to try to avoid getting hit. That is why NCAA adds that approved ruling, which is how I rule in all games. It's a judgment thing.

Also, he has a right to stand in there and keep his shoulder and hip in on a big bender to see if it's going to finish breaking. Sometimes when they get nicked on those, it looks like no attempt, but they have a right to hang in. Stick the arm out ever so slightly and I keep you there, but if you stay in your stance and get nicked with a big bender, go to first.