Hands are part of the bat??

[slowballbaker]

I think umpires are understanding this rule incorrectly..

You must attempt to get out of the way of a pitch..
Only pitches that you have time..example (change-ups)
Players do not have time to get out of the way of a fastball nor do they always have time to attempt to get out of the way.

When a baseball player or a softball player rolls the front shoulder inward on an inside pitch he/she is not attempting to get out of the way..He/she is 1)trying to get hit by the inside pitch and 2) an inward turn is a way to protect the player from hurting the arm by a hit by pitch.. Umpires in baseball do not call players out for this inward turn unless they lean over the plate...

a good rule of thumb...1)change-ups and off speed pitches, you must attempt...
2) all fast pitches, fastball, rise, srewball etc..you do not have to make much of an attempt if any...dead ball 1st base...
What does everyone else think????????