LSU/Texas AM game

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Andy

In ASA play, I have always been taught that if both the bat and ball are moving, then you have the bat hitting the ball and a dead ball, batter out.

Well, that's certainly true if the bat and ball are moving towards each other.

But if the bat is moving away from the ball, and the ball hits it because the ball was moving in the same direction but much faster, I don't see how that could be considered a bat hitting the ball.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Well, that's certainly true if the bat and ball are moving towards each other.

But if the bat is moving away from the ball, and the ball hits it because the ball was moving in the same direction but much faster, I don't see how that could be considered a bat hitting the ball.

While I agree with the belief it shouldn't be, that has been the interpretation in ASA for a while, at least this regime.

I agree, that if the ball is catching up to the bat, the bat is not causing the contact, but that isn't the way it has been interpreted.

[MD Longhorn]

Ball hits bat means a STATIONARY bat... in all codes... at least right now.

[CecilOne]

I'm having trouble knowing where to find documentation or a rule cite that says EITHERr:

Ball hits bat means a STATIONARY bat... in all codes

OR

if both the bat and ball are moving, then you have the bat hitting the ball and a dead ball.
(regardless of direction)

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

I'm having trouble knowing where to find documentation or a rule cite that says EITHERr:

For ASA you can find it in RS 24.B

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

For ASA you can find it in RS 24.B

Sorry for being a pain, but unless it has changed, my electronic version of an ASA rule book (dated 2008) doesn't reference the bat's status as being stationary. It simply states in general terms the difference between a bat hitting a ball and vice versa.

The same is the case with the examples listed in the NCAA rule book:
Hitting the Ball a Second Time
Batter Bat Batted Ball Effect
In box In hands Fair or foul Foul ball
Out of box In hands Fair Batter out
Out of box In hands Foul (accidental) Foul ball
Out of box In hands Foul (intentional) Batter out
In/out of box Out of hands (ball hits bat) Fair Live
In/out of box Out of hands (ball hits bat) Foul Foul ball
In/out of box Out of hands (bat hits ball) Fair Batter out
In/out of box Out of hands (bat hits ball) Foul (accidental) Foul ball
In/out of box Out of hands (bat hits ball) Foul (intentional) Batter out

So, other than in interpretations that I assume are given in clinics, I don't see anything that talks of the bat rolling away from the ball, but the ball catching up and contacting the bat before the bat becomes stationary.

(Edited to add) Sorry how it looks on screen. I tried to add spaces between the column entries...

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Sorry for being a pain, but unless it has changed, my electronic version of an ASA rule book (dated 2008) doesn't reference the bat's status as being stationary. It simply states in general terms the difference between a bat hitting a ball and vice versa.

As soon as I saw Mike's post, I knew your response would be something like this.

The book doesn't parse out a difference between cases when both the ball and bat are still in motion when they touch. No "Do this when the ball is moving faster than the bat, but Do something else if the bat is moving faster than the ball". No "Do something completely different if the bat happens to be moving away from the ball instead of toward it".

If a moving bat and a ball collide - rule accordingly.
If the bat is not moving and the ball hits it, rule nothing.
This is not new.

From your other posts, I have assumed you are not an internet umpire - sounds like you work JUCO and HS, as well as ASA. It's completely inconceivable to me that this has not been discussed ad nauseum in nearly every clinic you've attended. I've probably seen this explained upward of 40 times. But if it turns out you are an internet umpire (this applies to any of you that are - not just talking to Manny here).

For God's sake, if Mike or Steve tells you something --- BELIEVE IT. You're not going to get a more correct response than from them ... and that includes the vast majority of your clinicians.