Leaning over the plate

[Rufus]

I coach a 12U travel team and we had a situation during a scrimmage this weekend. The batter's feet were in the batter's box, but his upper body leaned over the plate. I wasn't aware of this during the game but some of my parents let me know about afterward.

I saw in NFHS 7-3-5a says that a batter may not lean over home plate, and I could probably find the same rule in OBR, but my question is this:

I want to instruct my pitcher and/or catcher to make the umpire aware of the situation in a respectful manner that addresses the problem. I realize that umpires will usually deal with this when they see but, if they don't or are not inclined to, what is the best way for my players to address the issue?

Thanks in advance.

[mbyron]

Leaning over the plate before the pitch is not prohibited by 7-3-5, which concerns batter interference with the catcher's throwing or fielding.

In fact, leaning over the plate prior to the pitch is not illegal provided that the batter is legally in the box, so don't tell your pitchers to say anything to the umpire.

Teach them to pitch inside instead.

[JR12]

agreed, it's up to the pitcher to make him move.

[Rufus]

I guess I'm confused then. 7-3-5a says:

A batter shall not interfere with the catcher's fielding or throwing by leaning over home plate.

If the pitcher has to go through the batter to deliver a pitch doesn't that interfere with it (i.e, if the catcher can't field the pitch, isn't that interference)?

Also, this is 12U not MLB. I'm not comfortable instructing a pitcher to make brush back pitches (or purpose pitches). While control is better at 12 it's not that great yet, even at travel ball.

Different/follow-on question - If a batter is struck by a ball while leaning over the plate is that a hit-by-pitch or strike? Seems to me the responsibility for the contact is on the batter in that case, but now I'm not sure.

[celebur]

Originally Posted by Rufus

Different/follow-on question - If a batter is struck by a ball while leaning over the plate is that a hit-by-pitch or strike? Seems to me the responsibility for the contact is on the batter in that case, but now I'm not sure.

If it's in the strike zone, it's a strike, time, and the batter continues to bat (unless it was strike 3). Unfortunately, the only way (within the rules) for you to move the batter back is to have your pitcher throw strikes on the inside corner. And at that age level, the other team's coach is banking that your pitcher can't do that, which is why he's coaching his kids to do this.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by Rufus

I guess I'm confused then. 7-3-5a says:

A batter shall not interfere with the catcher's fielding or throwing by leaning over home plate.

If the pitcher has to go through the batter to deliver a pitch doesn't that interfere with it (i.e, if the catcher can't field the pitch, isn't that interference)?

Also, this is 12U not MLB. I'm not comfortable instructing a pitcher to make brush back pitches (or purpose pitches). While control is better at 12 it's not that great yet, even at travel ball.

Different/follow-on question - If a batter is struck by a ball while leaning over the plate is that a hit-by-pitch or strike? Seems to me the responsibility for the contact is on the batter in that case, but now I'm not sure.

First question: No, the catcher doesn't field the pitch, he just catches it. Fielders field batted balls. By rule there is no batter interference with the pitch, and the only rules governing the batter's position concern his feet and the batter's box.

Of course the batter leaning in hinders your pitcher. That's why he's doing it. That doesn't mean it's illegal, which everyone is telling you.

Second question: It's a strike. Because the pitch hit the batter, the ball is dead, however, so runners may not advance.

The fact that it's a strike is the reason why coaches teach their pitchers to pitch inside. Batters who lean in can't hit that pitch, and it if hits them it's still a strike.

[dash_riprock]

And it's always great fun to ring up a strike on a batter falling away from the plate.