Rules Quiz

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rufus

In the spirit of trying to better educate myself and any other coaches out there:

1. F
2. B
3. B
4a. 1 - I don't think this is a force play since the BR is out since 1st is occupied and there are less than 2 outs - the runners advance at their peril so they need to be tagged out
b. runners on 2nd and 3rd
c. hopefully not me
5. B - and hopefully the catcher isn't a humanitarian who is torn up at the sight of someone writhing in pain and tags the BR out (hey, he's not moving right?).

Now if you understand that the hands are NOT part of the bat - how did you get B on number 5? What is the first thing that happens when a pitched ball contacts the batter?

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

Now if you understand that the hands are NOT part of the bat - how did you get B on number 5? What is the first thing that happens when a pitched ball contacts the batter?

I guess that's the part the confused me on the question. Since he swung at the pitch I thought that took precedence over the ball making contact with the hands (i.e., if he hadn't swung and the ball hit his hand then that's a dead ball). The ball rolling fair after contact is considered a "hit" for that reason. Apparently that's not correct though.

So it would be a dead ball, BR to 1st, R1 to 2nd?

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Rufus

I guess that's the part the confused me on the question. Since he swung at the pitch I thought that took precedence over the ball making contact with the hands (i.e., if he hadn't swung and the ball hit his hand then that's a dead ball). The ball rolling fair after contact is considered a "hit" for that reason. Apparently that's not correct though.

So it would be a dead ball, BR to 1st, R1 to 2nd?

Rufus,

No that's not quite right.

Anytime an untouched pitch hits a batter, the ball is immediately dead.

If the batter swings/offers at a pitch which subsequently hits him (or is hit by a pitch which is in the sstrike zone), the pitch is ruled a strike.

Since the batter already had two strikes, he is out.

Any other runners return to their TOP base.

JM

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rufus

I guess that's the part the confused me on the question. Since he swung at the pitch I thought that took precedence over the ball making contact with the hands (i.e., if he hadn't swung and the ball hit his hand then that's a dead ball). The ball rolling fair after contact is considered a "hit" for that reason. Apparently that's not correct though.

So it would be a dead ball, BR to 1st, R1 to 2nd?

No.

First - any time the pitched ball strikes a batter you have a dead ball.
THEN, you rule on what the pitch was.

So if a batter is struck by a pitch while swinging (even in the hands) or is somehow struck by a pitch that's in the strike zone - you have a dead ball, strike. If strike 3, batter's out. Due to the dead ball, no runners advance.

[Rufus]

Mike and JM - thank you both for the correction. I'll try not to mess it up when coaching in the future.

And I can see how an offensive coach would get kind of hacked off at this rule as well. It makes sense, I think, but they certainly will want to get "something" out of a batter being struck by the ball.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Rufus

Mike and JM - thank you both for the correction. I'll try not to mess it up when coaching in the future.

And I can see how an offensive coach would get kind of hacked off at this rule as well. It makes sense, I think, but they certainly will want to get "something" out of a batter being struck by the ball.

Well... Was working 10U rather competitive playoff game some time back. Girl squares to bunt. The pitch (at decent speed for a 10U) came straight at her. She tries to hit it with the bat and missed - and it somehow gets between facemask and top of helmet and hits her square in the face. Blood everywhere. I've already rung her up on 3rd strike before I see exactly where it hit her. Opposing coach and partner both see this and cover their faces knowing what's coming.

After about 10 minutes of crying, etc - I get the pleasant task of telling her that not only can she not go to first, but she's out as well. Not easy.

[BK47]

yeah Rufus, all kidding aside, the answer to 5 is D.

[waltjp]

Originally Posted by Rufus

but they certainly will want to get "something" out of a batter being struck by the ball.

If the coach wants to get something I'd suggest ice.

[first2third]

D. on Q5

[Rufus]

1st23rd and BK - thanks again for confirming the answer.

Mike - that's a terrible story and I'm sorry that the player was hurt so badly. No fun for anyone on that call.

[BuggBob]

1. F If the hands are part of the bat, drop the bat where are the hands (many times from this fourm)
2. B
3. B
4a. one out
4b. 3rd and 2nd
4c. no one
5. D Sorry kid about your dead ball third strike hope you get better.

Bugg