Hit by batter

[BuggBob]

Has this happened to you? Your the plate umpire in a game of ASA fast pitch, there is a runner on 1st who legally attempts to steal 2nd. As the plate umpire, when I see this I move quickly towards 3rd to cover if the ball gets away and there is a play at 3rd. As I am moving out the batter takes a step out of the box and takes a practice swing right into my elbow (Dang, that hurts). Is there any rule or revenge I could call to prevent this from happening again?

Thanks
Bugg

[Andy]

Yes, it has happened to me.

No, there is not any rule basis you can use to prevent it from happenning again. Revenge wise, you could call some out-of-the-zone strikes on the batter or call her out for stepping out of the box, etc., etc., but I don't think you want to do that.

What I will usually do is keep one eye on the batter as I step out and watch the play develop. If I see that s/he doesn't see me, I will say something like "I'm right behind you" to get his/her attention. I have found that this is usually enough to prevent the practice swing.

[dtwsd]

No. It has never happened to me although there have been a couple of close calls. If the batter is close to me when I come out I will say "batter don't swing". I sometimes (if the bat is pointed up) even grab and hold the bat until I am clear of the batter then I let go and continue to follow the play.

[bobbrix]

no rules, but "preventative umpiring" is mandatory

i have had a few close calls i, too will call "don't swing!! don't swing!!" if i see the batter stepping back a bit farther than i hoped ... although i don't think i'd grab the bat, that suggests you're still moving towards each other, or not moving away at all

[CecilOne]

I'm so fast the batter doesn't have time to swing.

[msrock1954]

I too almost took a shot right to the face in just this exact scenario. From then on I make sure I keep one eye on what the batter is doing, as I'd like to keep my original teeth

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by BuggBob

Has this happened to you? Your the plate umpire in a game of ASA fast pitch, there is a runner on 1st who legally attempts to steal 2nd. As the plate umpire, when I see this I move quickly towards 3rd to cover if the ball gets away and there is a play at 3rd. As I am moving out the batter takes a step out of the box and takes a practice swing right into my elbow (Dang, that hurts). Is there any rule or revenge I could call to prevent this from happening again?

Thanks
Bugg

Obviously, you need to be aware of the possibility. You can always use your mask as a shield.