Jim must have been worked up on the radio then. I thought they battled and I'm not sure what game he was watching if his call was that the ball bounced on the hbp.

 

Again and to be clear the ball bouncing does not preclude the batter getting first. However, in this case it sounds like he was called back because he made no effort to get out of the way.

Again and to be clear the ball bouncing does not preclude the batter getting first. However, in this case it sounds like he was called back because he made no effort to get out of the way.

 

You do not have to make an effort to get out of the way in Kentucky high school baseball. You just cannot move into the pitch.

I assume you are saying a batter was awarded first base after a bounced pitch hit him, correct?

 

Clyde I'm astounded at how few people know even basic rules. Obviously it doesn't matter if the ball bounced first. You can hit a ball that bounces. And you can be HBP on a ball that bounces.

 

Reminds me of a game a couple nights ago when I observed an argument about the hand being part of the bat on a HBP vs. foul ball.

It's sad that an incorrect call is the cause of 6 seniors high school baseball careers being ended. Hunter Hill in no way moved into the pitch.

You do not have to make an effort to get out of the way in Kentucky high school baseball. You just cannot move into the pitch.

 

I find that hard to believe that KY would have their own set of rules.

 

NFHS 7-3-4 A batter shall not permit a pitched ball to touch him. Penalty is the batter remains at bat (pitch is a ball or strike) unless pitch was third strike or ball four.

It's sad that an incorrect call is the cause of 6 seniors high school baseball careers being ended. Hunter Hill in no way moved into the pitch.

 

If I understand the ruling correctly, its that he made no attempt to avoid contact, not that he stepped into it?? How about congratulations to BB on a great win and first regional championship instead of all the whines?

 

Taking nothing away from this HC team, as they had a fine season; but doesn't HC have a bit of a "history" of getting "HBP" a lot, as well as having one of the most liberal strike zones know to man for the home team's pitchers in Cynthiana??

I was there and I thought it was the right call. Guy I know shoots for WKYT. Saw replay again immediately after the game. The batter did not attempt to get out of the way (and I can't blame him). It's a very subjective call, but IMO it was the right one. Can't blame Mac for arguing either, but frankly Hill simply turned his left leg out and let the pitch hit him. Don't forget he had a chance with a 1-1 count after that and grounded to short, who threw home for the force out. It was a great game. Mac pulled every string imaginable (one pitcher getting into the game three different times, another twice), pinch-hitting for a batter with an 0-2 count, but give Brossart and the Verst cousins credit for pitching a great game.

- Richard Skinner

I find that hard to believe that KY would have their own set of rules.

 

NFHS 7-3-4 A batter shall not permit a pitched ball to touch him. Penalty is the batter remains at bat (pitch is a ball or strike) unless pitch was third strike or ball four.

 

The interpretation that I have received from roughly 10 umpires from the 9th region is that the batter can stand there as long as they do not move into the pitch thus "permitting the ball to touch them."

The interpretation that I have received from roughly 10 umpires from the 9th region is that the batter can stand there as long as they do not move into the pitch thus "permitting the ball to touch them."

 

Then 10 umpires from the 9th region are WRONG. You have to "make an attempt" to avoid being hit, "make an attempt" being subjective in the eyes of the umpire!!

Not to enter into the argument one way or other, but earlier this year Brossart had the very same call go against us in a regular season game. One of our hitters (might have been Zach Fardo) was hit by a pitch but not awarded a base, for "failure to make a reasonable effort to avoid being hit by the pitch," so this is not unprecedented.

Way to go Mustangs!!!!!

Congrats to the Mustangs on their first ever 10th region championship....Enjoy the journey!!!!!!

When will the KHSAA correct or clarify this rule? It's obvious each association, or umpire, has their own interpretation. I've seen it called both ways the entire season and it needs to be universal. I, too, was told if a batter doesn't move into the pitch and is hit, then he is awarded a base. However, I had another umpire tell me the batter must make an attempt. Really?

 

Congrats to Bishop Brossart. Nice to see two teams from Campbell County make it to the Sweet 16.

From what I've heard, this was a point of emphasis this year. I've seen about 10 batters not awarded first base after being hit this year at all levels. I hate the call. It's way too subjective. I played a lot of baseball and sometimes you just get frozen by a pitch that's moving in towards you, or you're trying to hang in on a late breaking pitch. I'll be the first to admit I let quite a few pitches hit me, but if you have guts enough to let a 80+ mph hit you, you deserve something.

The great debate continues. The HBP rule is imho the most debated call in HS baseball. So many umpires call it differently around the state it is amazing. I was not at the game so I did not see what happened but nothing surprises me on the call. Side note, the ball hitting the ground, as someone mentioned, is irrelevent.