Hbp

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by bigjohn

Was this ump correct? The ump CYA's by saying the rule changed. Many umps wouldn't call it anything but HBP even before the language change.

If the kid makes no attempt to get out the way, he is letting it hit him. Although the verbaige changed the spirit of the rule is that you have to make an attempt to avoid being HBP.

True?

Close to true. Not sure it's CYA as the verbiage of the rule really did change. I wouldn't extend the verbiage of the rule to include that you "have to make an attempt to avoid" - in fact, it's pretty much exactly that which led to the rules change.

Consider the very young hitter that freezes in panic - that hitter did not "make an attempt to avoid" as the old rule stated - but the spirit of the rule is to award this hitter first base, and the new verbiage matches that.

Consider the pitch that bounces funny and hits the batter - again, no attempt to avoid - but the spirit of the rule (and now the verbiage) gives that batter first base as well.

I think the new verbiage more perfectly aligns with the true spirit of the rule.

Regarding the OP - neither new nor old verbiage (nor spirit) should give the player that leans into the pitch a base.