Once in a lifetime situation

[bkbjones]

Originally Posted by SF

In a game tonight I had a situation that I doubt I will ever seen again, no matter how many years I umpire, but I thought some of you might enjoy this story - also a good rules knowledge test.

I'm behind the plate, no outs, bases empty. Count is 1-2 on the batter. A pitch comes in, the batter takes a mighty swing and misses. The ball hits the catcher's glove, but she fails to catch it cleanly, and it pops up into the air. In the meantime, the momentum from the batter's swing has twisted her around, and the bat, held in her left hand (right handed batter) swings around and contacts the ball (the batter's back is to the plate, momentum has completely turned her around.) The ball then goes into fair territory.

So, for all you rules gurus, what do you call? And has anyone else ever seen anything like this?

In FP, Foul ball. 7-6-k-exception-3.

Hang around and do enough games, you will see this again...but it's always a surprise the first time it happens.

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by bkbjones

In FP, Foul ball. 7-6-k-exception-3.

Hang around and do enough games, you will see this again...but it's always a surprise the first time it happens.

John, I think you mis-read the ruling. ASA 7-6-k-exception-3 states:
The batter is out:
When the batter hits a fair ball with the bat a second time in fair territory:
Exception 3. If contact was made on the follow through, after missing the pitch on the initial swing. Effect: It is a dead ball, strike.

So in the OP, we would have a dead ball, strike, for the third strike and an out.

[mcrowder]

Dead ball strike in all codes.

Just a note --- why do you reference the dropped third strike rule at all here - the ball was never dropped (or uncaught).

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

Dead ball strike in all codes.

Just a note --- why do you reference the dropped third strike rule at all here - the ball was never dropped (or uncaught).

Mike,
I'm sure you're are correct, but I couldn't find the reference in NFHS. Where did you see it?

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by MNBlue

Mike,
I'm sure you're are correct, but I couldn't find the reference in NFHS. Where did you see it?

I don't have the books here at work... but I would look in the "It is a strike when..." section.

[celebur]

Originally Posted by mcrowder

I don't have the books here at work... but I would look in the "It is a strike when..." section.

It also agrees with common sense. This case cannot be ruled a D3K because the ball was neither caught nor dropped. And the ball has to be dead, so no D3K either.

I suppose some people may argue for a foul ball, but I'd go with the strike out.

[MNBlue]

Originally Posted by celebur

It also agrees with common sense. This case cannot be ruled a D3K because the ball was neither caught nor dropped. And the ball has to be dead, so no D3K either.

I suppose some people may argue for a foul ball, but I'd go with the strike out.

Agreed.

But here is my concern. NFHS 7.2.1.b - A strike is charged to the batter when: a pitched ball is struck at and missed.

Seems clear, in the OP the first swing should be ruled a strike. Now what about the 'follow through' contact of the ball?

I am either overlooking why contacting the ball should be dead on the follow through swing in section 1 of Rule 5 - Dead Ball and Suspension of Play, or it isn't there. So I go to the rules governing interference, and this is the closest I can find. 7.4.4: Batter is out: The batter interferes with the catcher's fielding or throwing by leaning over home plate, by stepping out of the batter's box, by making any other movement which hinders action at home or the catchers attempt to play on a runner ...

Granted, technically, the player is not a runner, but a batter-runner, but there doesn't seem to be anything I can find that would cause the contacting of the ball on the follow through to be dead.

I'm not arguing that it shouldn't be, I'm thinking either I'm not looking hard enough or there is something missing in the book.

Just looking for some help.