interesting day

[LIUmp]

Originally Posted by HugoTafurst

I made the call the other day.
Batter squared to bunt, ball was inside, looked to me like the batter was still trying to bunt the ball, but she missed and the ball hit her.
Dead Ball, strike. ... coach questioned me, didn't agree with me, but accepted the answer.
After the game, both partners agreed that she was attempting to bunt even though the ball was coming at her.

In a sitch like this, you'll know it. it's that "protection" bunt, as she's fully squared around and the ball is a screwball or riser that's tailing in toward her head or chest.

Bottom line, did the batter attempt to hit it? If so, strike. I'd tend to give the benefit of the doubt to the batter IF the ball is coming at her and there is any movement. Was the movement of the bat done specifically to hit the ball?

Hard to sell that when she's got a welt. Not impossible, but you'll know it when you see it.

And as Esq said, the batter does NOT have to pull the bat back (unless you're talking USSSA fast pitch, which is the only rule set that I'm aware of that you do).