Intentional walk / hit batsman

[MikeStrybel]

Do you have 11-12 year olds with that kind of control and commitment to the coach's direction near you?

Are you content with penalizing the batter for trying to evade being hit by a pitch that is not in the strike zone?

[rbmartin]

Did the batter interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base (6.06C)? No exceptions are given.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by rbmartin

Did the batter interfere with the catcher’s fielding

No because technically F2 is not fielding...

or throwing

this either...

by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base (6.06C)? No exceptions are given.

the "play at home base" is widely interpreted to mean on an advancing runner if there is no bat-ball contact.

[mbyron]

Originally Posted by rbmartin

Did the batter interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base (6.06C)? No exceptions are given.

The rule does not apply to a pitched ball, for which batter interference is not defined. The pitched ball is, after all, for the batter to hit.

Or: the catcher is not fielding when he catches a pitch, so again this rule does not apply.

Your situation is a HBP, as Bob notes. If the coach complains, tell him to pitch a walk outside where he's much less likely to hit the batter.

[ozzy6900]

Originally Posted by rbmartin

Did the batter interfere with the catcher’s fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter’s box or making any other movement that hinders the catcher’s play at home base (6.06C)? No exceptions are given.

Uhmmm, you might want to check the OP again. The batter moved out of the way of the pitch that was coming at him. Unfortunately, the pitch continued in the batter's direction.

Rules are cut and dry, with that I will agree. Application of a rule requires experience, intelligence and knowledge of the basics of the game being officiated. Blind rule applications do not work - that is why computers will never replace officials.

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by ozzy6900

rbmartin, Uhmmm, you might want to check the OP again.

rbmartin is the OP, ozzy

[Simply The Best]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

Do you have 11-12 year olds with that kind of control and commitment to the coach's direction near you?

Few do but I have seen this taught by a number of coaches. Usually the same ones who adhere to the "crowd the plate" batting philosophy.

They are looking for one or all of several things.

1) Something to get in the face of the PU about. Intimidation, then belittling, since the OBR is gray on this, it makes for a great way to begin an episode with a PU.

2) An easy out.

3) Advantage on the throw but this one can be a double edged sword. As you are alluding, the pitch has to be fairly accurate to be cleanly caught and to have the throw shortened (F2-->F3). F2s momentum can either be disrupted or enhanced depending on F2s footwork and the location of the pitch, vertically and horizontally.

4) Surprise.

5) Look cool.

Are you content with penalizing the batter for trying to evade being hit by a pitch that is not in the strike zone?

The reason I never taught it was that I was concerned with the B's health. B's moving around especially out of the box in such an unusual pitch location, no telling how that is going to turn out when he's HB this P. Typically, B is going to be much more defenseless imo than a typical HBP in box.

Unless F1 throws a breaking ball then all bets are off.