Dead ball strike- ASA

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

At the time the ball made contact with the batter's hands, had the batter satisfied the definition of a swing?

He did say ... "batter swings".

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

He did say ... "batter swings".

Not only that, but since this is an ASA thread, just what is the definition of "swing"?

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by MD Longhorn

He did say ... "batter swings".

Yes. I read that. But it wouldn't be the first time that a term was used without fully regard to its definition.

I asked the question because I have had batters hit by the pitch during the swing, but who had not committed to the swing. Since the ball is dead at the time of contact, any follow through or subsequent action with the bat is not relevant.

That's the only reason I was inquiring.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

I asked the question because I have had batters hit by the pitch during the swing, but who had not committed to the swing.

Well, technically, you can't have both.

If you had said you had batters hit by the pitch while checking their swing, that would be more accurate.

Separate but related to this subject, what do y'all call when the batter and the bat get hit by the ball virtually simultaneously? In other words, you hear the ball make contact with the bat, but you also see the batter react because the ball also hit her hand?

If the batter doesn't swing at the pitch, I usually give her the benefit of the doubt and send her to first base, judging that the ball hit her hand first. But if she does swing, what do you do? Do you assume the ball hit the bat first, and rule foul? Or do you call the dead ball strike?

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Separate but related to this subject, what do y'all call when the batter and the bat get hit by the ball virtually simultaneously? In other words, you hear the ball make contact with the bat, but you also see the batter react because the ball also hit her hand?

If the batter doesn't swing at the pitch, I usually give her the benefit of the doubt and send her to first base, judging that the ball hit her hand first. But if she does swing, what do you do? Do you assume the ball hit the bat first, and rule foul? Or do you call the dead ball strike?

IMHO, if you can't tell which, it hit the bat - whether swinging or not.

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Separate but related to this subject, what do y'all call when the batter and the bat get hit by the ball virtually simultaneously? In other words, you hear the ball make contact with the bat, but you also see the batter react because the ball also hit her hand?

If the batter doesn't swing at the pitch, I usually give her the benefit of the doubt and send her to first base, judging that the ball hit her hand first. But if she does swing, what do you do? Do you assume the ball hit the bat first, and rule foul? Or do you call the dead ball strike?

To me, the sound is the best indicator. If I hear bat, it hit bat first. The hand hit makes a deadened "thud". When it appears "virtually" simultaneous, I know that the hand wrapped around the handle sticks out farther, so the hand must be closer to the pitch .......

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Manny A

...Separate but related to this subject, what do y'all call when the batter and the bat get hit by the ball virtually simultaneously? In other words, you hear the ball make contact with the bat, but you also see the batter react because the ball also hit her hand?...

The same thing you do when the ball and the runner arrive at first base virtually simultaneously....make the call.

[EsqUmp]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Well, technically, you can't have both.

If you had said you had batters hit by the pitch while checking their swing, that would be more accurate.

No. That would be poor terminology. The batter isn't checking her swing. The batter is attempting to swing. The issue is whether the swing is completed.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by EsqUmp

No. That would be poor terminology. The batter isn't checking her swing. The batter is attempting to swing. The issue is whether the swing is completed.

Either way is bad terminology. You're right that "checking your swing" is coach-speak. But completing your swing is a non-thing as well.

All that matters is whether the batter was attempting to hit the pitch, or had abandoned that attempt, at the time the ball hit her. Whatever terminology you need to convey that - feel free.