Baseball question from a football/basketball ref.

[stir22]

Hello, my baseball brethren!!!

Was at the ballpark last night watching my local minor league baseball team. Here's the scenario- Home up 4-0, 7th inning, very smooth game. Home team starting pitcher was pitching a masterful game, one hitter at that point. Anyway, one of his pitches got away from him, and went a few inches behind the batter. Clearly did not hit the batter- nothing untoward had happened in the game. The homeplate ump awarded the batter first base. The batter actually argued just a bit, saying the pitch didn't hit him, and he want to stay in the box. The ump insisted he take first base. My question is, is first base awarded automatically for pitches that go behind the batter, regardless of the scenario?

Thanks!!!

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by stir22

Hello, my baseball brethren!!!

Was at the ballpark last night watching my local minor league baseball team. Here's the scenario- Home up 4-0, 7th inning, very smooth game. Home team starting pitcher was pitching a masterful game, one hitter at that point. Anyway, one of his pitches got away from him, and went a few inches behind the batter. Clearly did not hit the batter- nothing untoward had happened in the game. The homeplate ump awarded the batter first base. The batter actually argued just a bit, saying the pitch didn't hit him, and he want to stay in the box. The ump insisted he take first base. My question is, is first base awarded automatically for pitches that go behind the batter, regardless of the scenario?

Thanks!!!

No.

The umpire must have judged it hit him (or it was ball 4).

[stir22]

Originally Posted by bob jenkins

No.

The umpire must have judged it hit him (or it was ball 4).

Many thanks!!!

[MrUmpire]

It is not uncommon for a pitch to barely touch the uniform and the batter not feel it or wishes to get a chance to swing the bat. Any touch of the person or uniform is a HBP.

[gordon30307]

I was doing some college wood bat this summer and the the count was 3 and 0. The batter stepped out of the box and asked me to open up the zone. I said OK. Next pitch was high and I called it a strike. The 3 and 1 pitch was higher and I call ball 4. He looks at me and I tell him sorry no way that I can call that a strike. A first for me a batter complaining about balls.

[RogersUmp]

Gordon, don't tell his coach.