Seems to me fewer and fewer umpires are willing to make the call on a batter for not attempting to get out of the way of a pitch. I attended a game last night where the batters continually turned into a inside pitch. There was no attemt to get out of the way. They were actually turning in closer to the plate so the ball would hit them. It got to the point the batters were laughing at it. This needs to be a more consistent call by all umpires. Is anyone else seeing this sort of call? What do you think the batters responsibility is to get out of the way?:confused::confused::confused:

Keep in mind that most (good) coaches teach players backwards (i.e., facing the catcher) on a pitch thrown up high at them so as to avoid the chance of getting hit in the face. Turning in that direction often does cause the hitter to actually put a bit more of his body in towards the plate and therefore be even more susceptible to being hit by the pitch. It boils down to the ump's judgement of whether it was a legitimate effort to avoid the pitch or just a decent acting job to help cause him to get hit. But I do understand why kids are - and should be - turning away from pitches up at them.

The batter is supposed to make an attempt to avoid the pitch. Also, keep in mind that they should be staying in there if they recognize the rotation of the curveball.

 

Bottom line, if it strikes the batter in the strike zone, it's a deadball & strike!

Keep in mind that most (good) coaches teach players backwards (i.e., facing the catcher) on a pitch thrown up high at them so as to avoid the chance of getting hit in the face. Turning in that direction often does cause the hitter to actually put a bit more of his body in towards the plate and therefore be even more susceptible to being hit by the pitch. It boils down to the ump's judgement of whether it was a legitimate effort to avoid the pitch or just a decent acting job to help cause him to get hit. But I do understand why kids are - and should be - turning away from pitches up at them.

 

Absolutely!! Kids should be turning toward the plate to avoid a face shot. Now, if he's on top of the plate and then turns such that he's hanging over the plate in the strike zone it should be called a strike if the ball hits him in the strike zone. I've seen that called once in the last 10 years. The inside strike needs to be called more and the outside strike needs to be well, a strike, over the outside corner and not 3 to 6 inches off the plate. It's getting to be where the strike zone is so outside favored that hitters feel forced to get on top of the plate

Keep in mind that most (good) coaches teach players backwards (i.e., facing the catcher) on a pitch thrown up high at them so as to avoid the chance of getting hit in the face. Turning in that direction often does cause the hitter to actually put a bit more of his body in towards the plate and therefore be even more susceptible to being hit by the pitch. It boils down to the ump's judgement of whether it was a legitimate effort to avoid the pitch or just a decent acting job to help cause him to get hit. But I do understand why kids are - and should be - turning away from pitches up at them.

There is nothing wrong with turning toward the catcher at all.Some coaches teach the players to not move other than turn their back to the pitcher and get hit.It is rarely called but I think should be.It is not to hard for the ump to tell if the player is trying to get out of the way.I was at a game last night and probably four players from the same team got hit.Only one of them would have been hit if they had tried to move out of the way.It was obvious what they were coached to do.

Seems to me fewer and fewer umpires are willing to make the call on a batter for not attempting to get out of the way of a pitch. I attended a game last night where the batters continually turned into a inside pitch. There was no attemt to get out of the way. They were actually turning in closer to the plate so the ball would hit them. It got to the point the batters were laughing at it. This needs to be a more consistent call by all umpires. Is anyone else seeing this sort of call? What do you think the batters responsibility is to get out of the way?:confused::confused::confused:

 

 

Papa,

If the statement in bold is correct, you call the pitch as is (if it's close to a strike, it's a strike), and you keep the batter in the box (also, if it's strike three, the batter is out). Then you call time as the coach comes out to argue the call. Rule of thumb for umpires, did they move closer to the pitch or not and did they make an attempt to avoid the pitch? The players like to "Iron Man" it, and not move much if any at all. Bottom line, they have to make some token attempt to avoid the pitch. If they do not move at all or move closer to the pitch, I keep them in the box and add the pitch to the count.

 

PS...However, I've seen fellow blues who always give the batter first base no matter what the circumstances of the HBP. I agree, it needs to be more consistent.

I agree with your take on it. We start teaching players at an early age to STAY IN THE BOX. As they get older, they know to look for the hook when they see the ball thrown at them. Turning at the last moment to protect themselves is a last resolve effort to avoid injury and should be respected. I think the key is did they lean into the pitch. I have also seen umpires change their approach when an obvious pattern was developing.

 

 

 

Papa,

If the statement in bold is correct, you call the pitch as is (if it's close to a strike, it's a strike), and you keep the batter in the box (also, if it's strike three, the batter is out). Then you call time as the coach comes out to argue the call. Rule of thumb for umpires, did they move closer to the pitch or not and did they make an attempt to avoid the pitch? The players like to "Iron Man" it, and not move much if any at all. Bottom line, they have to make some token attempt to avoid the pitch. If they do not move at all or move closer to the pitch, I keep them in the box and add the pitch to the count.

 

PS...However, I've seen fellow blues who always give the batter first base no matter what the circumstances of the HBP. I agree, it needs to be more consistent.

I've only seen a few umpires not let batters take first if they are hit by balls if they have leaned in over the plate. But even when they finally have the umpire has called it a ball.

I've only seen a few umpires not let batters take first if they are hit by balls if they have leaned in over the plate. But even when they finally have the umpire has called it a ball.

 

CDB,

According to the rule book, you call the pitch where it crosses (or would have crossed the front edge of the plate). Most HBP's by leaning in or sticking a wing out are balls. Strikes are usually hacked at by batters crowding the plate, even on the inside corner.

Whatever it takes to get on base IMO

The batter is supposed to make an attempt to avoid the pitch. Also, keep in mind that they should be staying in there if they recognize the rotation of the curveball.

 

Bottom line, if it strikes the batter in the strike zone, it's a deadball & strike!

 

Absolutely! Hitters are taught from day one to stay in on a curveball. I've seen curveballs that just don't curve, and this is where a lot of hitters are surprised. In this case, all I need to see is the "slightest" of attempts to get out of the way.

 

In the case of "leaning in", it should be called every time.

What makes an "attempt"?

 

I dont think you will ever have consistancy because what is an attempt to one umpire may not be an attempt in another umpires judgement.

 

If a player makes any movement at all including turning towards the catcher I award him 1st base.

 

The only time I will not award a player first base is if his movement takes him into the path of the ball. Then I will call the pitch a strike or ball.

High school breaking balls don't always break. But the batter thinks it's going to and he gets hit. I can't believe there is too many high school players that would want to get hit on purpose instead of trying to get a hit. It's just not natural.