NFHS Baseball Test Part 1

[Welpe]

Let me guess, for 52 the "correct" answer was D?

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Let me guess, for 52 the "correct" answer was D?

Welpe,

Give that man a cigar!

That was, in fact, the "test correct" answer.

On the field, of course, one would go with "C".

JM

[Welpe]

Figures. Where did they get that from? So perpetuates the myth.

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Figures. Where did they get that from? So perpetuates the myth.

The rule book, actually.

10-1-4a "As an aid in deciding, the umpire may note whether the swing carried the barrel of the bat past the body of the batter, but [the] final decision is based on whether the batter actually struck at the ball."

For Fed, D is definitely the right answer.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

The rule book, actually.

10-1-4a "As an aid in deciding, the umpire may note whether the swing carried the barrel of the bat past the body of the batter, but [the] final decision is based on whether the batter actually struck at the ball."

For Fed, C is definitely the right answer.

Exactly my point, C is the correct answer so where did they get D may be used as "an aid" is not the same thing as "Base his decision as to whether the swing carried the barrel of the bat past the body of the batter."

[Eastshire]

Originally Posted by Welpe

Exactly my point, C is the correct answer so where did they get D may be used as "an aid" is not the same thing as "Base his decision as to whether the swing carried the barrel of the bat past the body of the batter."

Sorry, fixed my post but not fast enough. D is definitely correct as, by rule, you are to consider A.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

Sorry, fixed my post but not fast enough. D is definitely correct as, by rule, you are to consider A.

I admit to being a little confused, I should have assumed you meant D but it fit my point better the other way.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

Sorry, fixed my post but not fast enough. D is definitely correct as, by rule, you are to consider A.

Eastshire,

Would you consider "A" determinate on whether the batter "offered" on a bunt?

JM

[MrUmpire]

Originally Posted by Eastshire

The rule book, actually.

10-1-4a "As an aid in deciding, the umpire may note whether the swing carried the barrel of the bat past the body of the batter, but [the] final decision is based on whether the batter actually struck at the ball."

The important parts of 10-1-4a are in bold.

No change in rule or practice.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by MrUmpire

The important parts of 10-1-4a are in bold.

No change in rule or practice.

And clearly C is the correct answer regardless of the spin the IHSA wishes to put on it. The bat coming in front of the plate is a "may" and therefore A is too strongly worded. Not that I care. Even if I had this question and the NFHS marked it wrong, it just drops me from a 100 to a 99 and life goes on.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by RichMSN

And clearly C is the correct answer regardless of the spin the IHSA wishes to put on it.

According to the 2011 NHFS Baseball supplement that is not the case. The IHSA does not publish that material, they just distribute it for us to read and learn. No spin required.

Enjoy your season.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Welpe,

Give that man a cigar!

That was, in fact, the "test correct" answer.

On the field, of course, one would go with "C".

JM

John,
I had this question brought up at one of my clinics and again by ODJ. The correct answer is D. It is clearly stated as such in the 2011 Preseason Guide sent along with the Rule and Case books.

On page 5 of that supplement:

The umpire's decision on a checked swing should be based entirely on his judgement as to whether or not the batter struck at the pitch.

Here are two helpful guidelines that may be helpful in determining if the batter swung: the barrel of the bat breaks the plane of the batter's front hip or the barrel of the bat breaks the plane of the front edge of the plate provided the batter is positioned in the center of the batter's box.

On the field, you would use both criteria. For less experienced umpires this will be easier to entertain. Some of us grew up with the 'front edge/broke his wrists' rules of thumb.

The NFHS wants us to read everything and they took that question straight from there. Illinois uses questions from the Michigan test currently but next year we will utilize a unique one.

The NCAA does the same thing. A number of questions came directly from the NCAA 2011 Baseball supplement.

I hope this helps clarify things.

Mike

[Welpe]

Mike, the funny thing is that the first sentence you quote from the supplement seems to match answer C perfectly.

Incidently, I had heard the "bat crosses over the plate" as criteria by the casual fan or coach but once I started umpiring, I was trained to NOT use those things as criteria but to simply judge, did the batter offer or did he not?

Admittedly, I did not realize the Fed had weakly codified the myth.