Batter Hitting Catcher on Backswing-Repeatedly

[easygoer]

Is there a rule that prohibits the batter from intentionally hitting the catcher with his bat? How do you know it is intentional?? When they hit the catcher five times in a row with a swing that in no way resembles a warm-up swing. They did it last year as well, same team; it never happens against any other teams. What’s the rule?
Easygoer

[briancurtin]

Originally Posted by easygoer

How do you know it is intentional??

When it's intentional.

[Publius]

Are you sure you're in the right forum? This sounds like a softball question. I've never seen or heard of a baseball team letting an opponent hit their catcher three times, let alone five.

When this happens where I live, the rule is sore ribs.

[johnnyg08]

Just curious, what level?

Ask the kid what baseball school he's going to with some moron telling him that it's going to make him a better player.

[MD Longhorn]

Does "they" mean that one person hit the catcher 5 times, or that it happened 5 times during a game, from different players?

If he's in the box, the catcher needs to move back. If he's looking back at catcher when this happens, I likely have an ejection.

If you think it's intentional, I'd err on the side of safety and toss him. But if you're not sure, consider the possibility that this team is just coached to stand as far back in the box as possible.

[ozzy6900]

If this happens on a practice swing, the PU is supposed to step out and call "TIME - Back swing hit the catcher!" Then get everyone reset and start again. This was an old trick back in the teens & twenties to distract the catcher especially when there are men on base. Today, we do not want the catcher distracted like this so the PU has to take control.

I had this happen in a HS game where F1 set up and B1 stepped into the box and set up deep. I stopped them once, then twice. The 2nd time, I said "Gentlemen, you two need to figure this out before we continue." B1 stepped back in in almost the same spot but did not hit the catcher again.

[SAump]

Originally Posted by easygoer

Is there a rule that prohibits the batter from intentionally hitting the catcher with his bat? How do you know it is intentional?? When they hit the catcher five times in a row with a swing that in no way resembles a warm-up swing. They did it last year as well, same team; it never happens against any other teams. What’s the rule?
Easygoer

1st is catcher's interference. Award 1st base. Move the catcher further off the plate.
2nd is warn batter after 1st contact, and eject after 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th contact.

[Matt]

Originally Posted by SAump

1st is catcher's interference. Award 1st base.

Absolutely wrong.

[easygoer]

Two different kids hit the catcher, one of the kids did it five times in a row. This is a pattern of behavior from this team, high school level. Was curious if there is a specific rule that applies. I am aware of catchers interference, this is not that.

Thanks

Easygoer

[jkumpire]

Ignore, Warn, eject. He doesn't get to five.

[MikeStrybel]

Ignore a batter intentionally hitting the catcher with a bat?

Really? Not around here.

[MikeStrybel]

Originally Posted by easygoer

Two different kids hit the catcher, one of the kids did it five times in a row. This is a pattern of behavior from this team, high school level. Was curious if there is a specific rule that applies. I am aware of catchers interference, this is not that.

Thanks

Easygoer

Try 3-3-1g (4) or 10-2-3f - both deal with unsportsmanlike behavior.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by easygoer

Two different kids hit the catcher, one of the kids did it five times in a row. This is a pattern of behavior from this team, high school level. Was curious if there is a specific rule that applies. I am aware of catchers interference, this is not that.

Thanks

Easygoer

You were there. Only you can determine intent. Eject if necessary - surely you don't need to be directed to a specific rule citation to justify ejecting a player who is intentionally hitting another player with a bat!

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by mikestrybel

ignore a batter intentionally hitting the catcher with a bat?

Really? Not around here.

+1

[dash_riprock]

Originally Posted by mbcrowder

+1

+1

If I'm sure it's intentional, there is no warning. No warning on a retaliatory antic either.