Hit by pitch

[jdmara]

If there is a pitch that you are unclear whether it hit the person or the bat, have you ever checked the player for signs of contact?

ie..Baseball Video Highlights & Clips | SD@LAD: Johnson awarded first upon umpire inspection - Video | MLB.com: Multimedia

I personally have never gone there. I will live and die by my call in that situation but perhaps I'm wrong.

OT: I'm glad that I'm not the only one that occasionally blinks on this play

-Josh

[kylejt]

The first thing we need to check is where did the ball go? If it's rolling in, or near fair territory, we've got to be damn sure it didn't catch the bat before killing it.

So, if the ball's not going to be in play, I'll just kill it, and take a moment to check the batter's reaction. A full second is enough. Remember, it's really tough to go by sound, and a ball hitting the knuckles sounds just like a ball hitting the bat. You'll get the same PING! or KNOCK!

[Rich]

I had one of these last night. Tough to see, certainly, but it appeared to me the ball hit the knob of the bat. I called it foul.

Manager asked the player where it hit -- kid said, "It hit the knob of the bat."

Damn my eyesight is good. (Actually, I guessed well based on my quick read.)

[MikeStrybel]

A replay on QuickPitch showed Hernandez kill the play shortly after the ball glanced off the batter and point to first for the award. That would seem to indicate that he had determined his call a second or two after the play, just as taught. While he does seem to be a magnet (along with Drake) for controversy, it looks like he did his job here. Good call, even with the eyes closed.

[jdmara]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

A replay on QuickPitch showed Hernandez kill the play shortly after the ball glanced off the batter and point to first for the award. That would seem to indicate that he had determined his call a second or two after the play, just as taught. While he does seem to be a magnet (along with Drake) for controversy, it looks like he did his job here. Good call, even with the eyes closed.

Thanks for the additional info. Not that I believe the announcers but why else look at his hand if you're the umpire *shrug*

-Josh

[RadioBlue]

Gotta love the TH's "the hands are part of the bat" commentary near the end of the vid. Sheesh.