NFHS Rules Changes

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Stat-Man

So if the pitcher throws a slow changeup that the batter has plenty of time to avoid, they can opt to stand there and let it hit them for a free base? I don't like this change at all.

Think about it this way.....the pitch shouldn't be in the batter's box at all. Up until now we have made the offense "do something" in order to get to first base. The batter had to try to avoid a pitch that was where it shouldn't have been in the first place. Why should the offensive player have to try to avoid the defensive players mistake?

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Andy

Think about it this way.....the pitch shouldn't be in the batter's box at all. Up until now we have made the offense "do something" in order to get to first base. The batter had to try to avoid a pitch that was where it shouldn't have been in the first place. Why should the offensive player have to try to avoid the defensive players mistake?

I'm kinda ambivalent about this rule change. It's just another example of how rule changes are predicated by the opinions of the powers-that-be who feel umpires can't be relied upon when it comes to their judgment.

But I must admit, I have seen situations where a batter freezes up when a fastball comes right at her, and the umpire doesn't let her go to first base because she made no obvious attempt to avoid getting hit. This rule change would remedy that problem.

[tmielke]

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by tmielke

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

If you make that distinction, you better have on helluva accurate strike zone.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by tmielke

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

The rule says the batter no longer has to attempt to avoid being hit. Pretty clear.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by tmielke

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

The verbiage quoted earlier in the thread for what purports to be the actual rule wording does not reference the batter's box, but rather says "out of the strike zone." The batter's box was mentioned in the commentary of the person being quoted. So, I assume if the batter is hit by a pitch, the only two possible calls are dead ball strike, and dead ball base award.

[youngump]

Originally Posted by Dakota

The verbiage quoted earlier in the thread for what purports to be the actual rule wording does not reference the batter's box, but rather says "out of the strike zone." The batter's box was mentioned in the commentary of the person being quoted. So, I assume if the batter is hit by a pitch, the only two possible calls are dead ball strike, and dead ball base award.

Or dead ball, ball, if the batter intentionally tried to get hit, no?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by youngump

Or dead ball, ball, if the batter intentionally tried to get hit, no?

The part to which he was replying was:

Originally Posted by tmielke

What happens if the whole ball is not in the batters box, the ball is to far inside to be called a strike, the batter gets hit and makes no attempt to move?

Does the batter still need to attempt to avoid being hit?

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Dakota

The verbiage quoted earlier in the thread for what purports to be the actual rule wording does not reference the batter's box, but rather says "out of the strike zone." The batter's box was mentioned in the commentary of the person being quoted. So, I assume if the batter is hit by a pitch, the only two possible calls are dead ball strike, and dead ball base award.

Aaahhhhhh.....wait a minute.

So, if a batter is leaning over the plate and get smacked alongside the head with the pitch, the batter is awarded 1B because the ball was out of the strike zone?

[Dakota]

Haven't seen the official rule book, or any interpretations, but it would seem so.

Wonderful, huh?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

Aaahhhhhh.....wait a minute.

So, if a batter is leaning over the plate and get smacked alongside the head with the pitch, the batter is awarded 1B because the ball was out of the strike zone?

Yeah, for now, until this actually happens and someone goes berserk, and they reissue a clarification.