Hit By Pitch
 

Ok getting a lot of different answers on this.

Pitcher pitches the ball it hits the ground then hits the batter. How is this ruled?

Batter take your base.

Take your base. Don't accept another answer and don't call it a strike.

The ball hitting the ground is completely irrelevant. The only thing the umpire has to decide is whether the batter tried to get out of the way, or just let it hit him on purpose.

Why isn't this a HBP, and what argument do coaches use to even make you question it?

The comment I hear most often is "it hit the ground blue", as if that is an explanation. This is 2nd cousin to "it hit the plate blue", as an explanation for why a ball should be foul.

See rule 2.00 "Ball".

Which is easily answered with "If your batter hits a home run on a ball that bounces, should I bring him back?"

The batter is ruled "hit by pitch".

As I understand it, in slow pitch softball a pitch that hits the dirt is a dead ball so nothing can happen after it hits the ground. So this is a real rule that people think applies to baseball as well.

One way to explain it to the coach is to remind them that a pitch that goes to the backstop is still live ball so hitting the ground doesn't kill it.

Rita

And my reply always is, "Yes, I saw that too!"

Who are you getting your answers from? Put them on your "ignore" list.

JJ

remember anyone who is gave you a differing answer other than HBP, and dont listen to them again regarding umpiring....

Better answer is "So, what's your point?", instead of bringing up a completely different situation.

If a coach insists on pursuing this argument, ask them why an MLB pitcher doesn't try to bounce one and hit a batter in the shins or ankles. If it was possible to bean a player AND keep him batting, a pro would have figured out how to do it by now.

Then try to hide your smile when they give you the deer in headlights look...

OBR- "A BALL is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter.

Rule 2.00 (Ball) Comment: If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone it is a “ball.” If such a pitch touches the batter, he shall be awarded first base."

Just learn the rule and tell them to look it up if they don't believe you. There is no need to give a smart-a** answer or any other irrelavant scenario when the facts are in black and white.

If he is not swinging, the call is "Time! Batter go to 1B." Any runners forced by the batter can advance 1 base. Those not forced stay at their TOP base.

Unless the batter swings at it, then it is "Time! Strike #. Batter stay here." If strike 3, he is out. All runners have to return their TOP base.

Is this enough of a consistent answer for you to realize what the correct call is? Those who say it is not a HBP are wrong. Ignore them in regards to umpiring forever.

I've sat in the stands and have seen this happen: ball hit ground and batter, batter awarded first. Coach protests, rule book brought out, coach sees rule, but still refuses to believe it. For some coaches, black and white still isn't enough.

Which rukle do you show him?

Show him 2.00 "Ball" - it's REAL clear there.

Who brought out the rule book and why? This is Rules 101 stuff.

If the coach brought out the rule book, he's gone. If the umpire brought out the rule book, he's a fool.

It's why I asked. I have seen umpires call for the rulebook one time, in a game I was observing.

FED game in Missouri. On field protests of rule misapplications are allowed. Coach has ten minutes to prove the umpire was wrong by citing the correct rule. However, the state association has instructed officials to point out the correct ruling in the rule book when possible so as to not delay the game unnecesarily.