Tampa Bay/NY Jeter HBP?

[Mark T. DeNucci, Sr.]

Andy (my youngest son, a baseball player, and still in H.S.), MTD, Jr., and I have watched the replay numerous times. We all agree on the following points:

1) This is a very very very close play.

2) Yes, the ball did hit the end of the bat.

3) The key is: Did the ball hit the end of bat first and then Jeter's body, or did hit Jeter's body and then the end of the bat?

4) The contact between bat, ball, and body is very very very close.

5) Notice that the PU immediately signaled DB and was awarding Jeter 1B. From the PU's angle it appears that the ball hit Jeter first and then the end of the bat.

6) Jeter really didn't have to milk it because the PU immediately signaled DB and awarded Jeter 1B.

I have not read any quotes from the PU or Crew Chief, but I am willing to bet dollars to donuts that that PU, from his angle, saw the ball hit Jeter in the stomach, then hit the end of his bat, and then hit is stomach again.

MTD, Sr.