Half Swing Strikes

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by MikeStrybel

I received a couple PMs about this. To answer them, the memo came from Tom Hiler via Rich Fetcheit. I provided it word for word for collegiate umpires here to see.

The wing umpire has a good angle to see if an attempt to strike the ball was made - from either box. It's not perfect but most of us can see if the barrel head passes the front hip of the batter from those places. Since that is the criteria for detemining a swing, it makes sense to eliminate the call from the umpire restricted to looking at it nearly head on.

Mike,

I'm not an NCAA umpire, so bear with me.

Is the barrel head passing in front of the hip a rule in NCAA, or a personal rule-of-thumb that you use in making a swing/no swing determination?

I've always been taught that there is no hard and fast point at which an umpire makes this call.

Tim.

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Is the barrel head passing in front of the hip a rule in NCAA, or a personal rule-of-thumb that you use in making a swing/no swing determination?

It's not an NCAA rule, but it is an official guideline.

[umpjong]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

It's not an NCAA rule, but it is an official guideline.

Became a written rule and standard last year. Rule 2 Section 38/Half swing.
Last sentence : The half swing shall be called a strike if the barrel head of the bat passes the batters front hip. (does not apply to a bunt )

[Umpmazza]

Originally Posted by umpjong

Became a written rule and standard last year. Rule 2 Section 38/Half swing.
Last sentence : The half swing shall be called a strike if the barrel head of the bat passes the batters front hip. (does not apply to a bunt )

this rule has been in place for over 7 years... but it also included if the barrel past the front edge of the plate as well.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

It's not an NCAA rule, but it is an official guideline.

No, that is not true. According to the definition in rule 2-18, a half swing shall be called a strike if the barrel head of the bat passes the batter's front hip. Previously the rule stated "the front edge of home plate" but that neglected the batter's position in the box.

The words in blue are verbatim from the 2011 NCAA Baseball Preseason supplement, and it can also be found in the current rule book. This rule definition was discussed at the annual meetings.

[Umpmazza]

Originally Posted by dash_riprock

It's not an NCAA rule, but it is an official guideline.

actually it is a rule....LOL

NCAA rule 2011-2012
2-38
Half Swing
SECTION 38. An attempt by the batter to stop the forward motion of the bat
while swinging, which puts the batter in jeopardy of a strike being called. The
half swing shall be called a strike if the barrel head of the bat passes the batter’s
front hip.
A.R.—This does not apply to a bunt attempt when the batter pulls the bat back.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by BigUmp56

Mike,

I'm not an NCAA umpire, so bear with me.

Is the barrel head passing in front of the hip a rule in NCAA, or a personal rule-of-thumb that you use in making a swing/no swing determination?

I've always been taught that there is no hard and fast point at which an umpire makes this call.

Tim.

What he advocates is a recent rule at NCAA, and a good rule of thumb anywhere else. Kind of wish the other rulesets would codify it as such as well. Kind of silly that the other rulesets (older and younger, both) have not written an official rule to define such a crucial situation.

[BigUmp56]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

What he advocates is a recent rule at NCAA, and a good rule of thumb anywhere else. Kind of wish the other rulesets would codify it as such as well. Kind of silly that the other rulesets (older and younger, both) have not written an official rule to define such a crucial situation.

I hear you, Mike, it might be nice to see a rule in other leagues that would better define what constitutes an "offer."

The other side of that though, is having managers arguing with us that from their vantage point the barrel of the bat didn't go beyond the hip or knee.

I guess that in a way I like being able to simply tell them that "in my judgment there was an attempt", without having to discuss a hard and fast point of no return.

Tim.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

What he advocates is a recent rule at NCAA, and a good rule of thumb anywhere else. Kind of wish the other rulesets would codify it as such as well. Kind of silly that the other rulesets (older and younger, both) have not written an official rule to define such a crucial situation.

I am not advocating anything. I simply posted the notice issued by the NCAA.