ASA Test Question # 38SP (Slow Pitch only): The batter swings very slowly at a pitch and, on contact, the ball rolls out in front of the plate. This action is legal.

The correct answer given is True, and cites Section 1 definitions for Bunt (page 48) and Chopped Ball (page 50), for both of which a batter is out in Slow Pitch, according to Rule 7, Section 6-H (page 102). However, nowhere in the rules can I find any governing the speed of a swing, so I guess that's why the answer is true.

I am surprised that the answer is True and that the action is legal. So, speaking ASA, a "very slow swing" is considered to be different from "intentionally tapping the ball, slowly"? Has anyone ever seen a Slow Pitch batter swing very slowly? And was a bunt/batter out ruled in that case?

Thanks.

All the time, especially speedy lefthanded hitters. If the bat doesn't come to and remain at a stop upon contact with the ball, it is a swing. Always has been, always will be.

Thanks, Mike. I thought the "Speaking ASA" would get you to answer!

I have never yet seen this done. The batter actually swings slowly "through" the pitched ball? and is not chopping down? Where do they like to hit (or place) the ball when they are doing this?

Thanks.

Either down the 3B line or toward the SS. Remember, "chopping" in ASA is like swinging an axe from over one's head straight to the ground. Just because a bat is moving in a downward motion does not make it a "chop".

Twenty-five years ago, my team had a very good hitter who had home run power (which actually meant something in the days of Bombats and Dudley Day-Nites) but also had a remarkable skill at taking a full but slow swing and hitting soft liners over the pitcher. So he'd back the outfield up his first couple of times at bat, and then get a double on one of his slow swings. Our league opponents got used to it, but in tournaments, the other team, not having seen such a swing, assumed he had done something illegal and would scream like hell.

The umps always allowed the swing, though.

As a matter of fact, yes I did. Saw it last year at a slowpitch tournament. And boy did the defensive team come unglued about it. They wanted to know why I didn't call the batter out for bunting the ball. Told them I didn't call batter out because he didn't bunt the ball. He actually swung (slow, but still swing). Told coach nothing in rule book about how fast or slow a batter can swing the bat. He didn't like my answer, but had to accept it.