- Feb 15, 2016
- 273
- 18
I have heard and read many different interpretations of the rules. I guess I have generally given the batter the benefit of the doubt when scoring a SAC. If the slapper goes through her slapping footwork but then bunts instead of slapping I would give her a SAC if she advances a runner even though I don't think a slapper is really ever truly trying just to SAC since they usually have a chance to reach the base safely on a bunt. Sometimes the slapper actually gets credit for a hit when she was really just trying to move a runner. Does that make sense or am I being too generous to the slapper? I would never coach a slapper who is a really good slap-bunter to stand there and bunt. I have coached some slappers who had proven that they could not get the slap-bunt down consistently to "bunt" in the more traditional way when we really needed a runner moved. How does the scorekeeper know what the intent was? We often let the slapper choose what she will do based on the defense. If she chooses to slap-bunt and advances a runner none of us including the coaches know what was going on in her head unless we ask her.
I bring this up because I recently heard a HS coach tell a slapper that she would "give her credit" for a SAC because she moved the runner even though she shouldn't get credit because she often tries to get base-hits with a slap-bunt. I thought that was odd. I bolded the last part of the NCAA rules extract below. I would count a "slap-bunt" as a slapper changing her slap swing to "tap" the ball into play. It says she must make a modification to her "swing or motion" it does not say "swing and motion".
Extract from NCAA rule 14
SECTION 8—SACRIFICE
A sacrifice is credited to the batter in the following
situations:
14.8.1 When a plate appearance meets the following four
criteria: 1) there are fewer than two outs, 2) the batter advances
one or more runners by bunting, 3) the ball must be bunted
(that is, not swung at, not slapped at, not chopped at), and 4)
the batter is called out at first base or would have been out had
no error occurred.
Note: Just as the official scorer should award base hits instead
of charging errors in cases involving doubt, a play that meets all
four criteria for a sacrifice should be scored as such instead of simply
awarding a putout and assist (if applicable).
14.8.2 When, with fewer than two outs, the defense (without
error) fails to get the lead runner out on any type of bunt.
Note: If the lead runner is tagged out in an attempt to advance
more than one base, it is scored a fielder’s choice. If the batter is
obviously bunting for a hit in a situation in which a sacrifice is not
normally used, credit the hitter with an at-bat.
14.8.3 When, with fewer than two outs, the lead runner advances
by means of a bunt but a trailing runner is out.
14.8.4 When, with fewer than two outs and runners at first
and third base, the pitcher fields a bunt, holds the runner at
third base, throws the runner out at first base and the runner at
first advances safely to second base.
SECTION 9—SACRIFICE NOT CREDITED
No sacrifice is credited in the following situations:
14.9.1 When a lead runner advances on a bunt because of a
dropped good throw.
14.9.2 When a batter inadvertently taps the ball into fair territory
and it results in a runner advancing and the batter being
retired. The intent to sacrifice bunt must exist.
Note: Scoring for the left-handed running slapper should be the
same as for a traditional left- or right-handed batter. If the running
slapper clearly shows the intent to advance a base runner, credit
a sacrifice. If modifications are not made to the running slapper’s
swing or motion, charge an at-bat, even if a base runner advances.
What are your thoughts?
I bring this up because I recently heard a HS coach tell a slapper that she would "give her credit" for a SAC because she moved the runner even though she shouldn't get credit because she often tries to get base-hits with a slap-bunt. I thought that was odd. I bolded the last part of the NCAA rules extract below. I would count a "slap-bunt" as a slapper changing her slap swing to "tap" the ball into play. It says she must make a modification to her "swing or motion" it does not say "swing and motion".
Extract from NCAA rule 14
SECTION 8—SACRIFICE
A sacrifice is credited to the batter in the following
situations:
14.8.1 When a plate appearance meets the following four
criteria: 1) there are fewer than two outs, 2) the batter advances
one or more runners by bunting, 3) the ball must be bunted
(that is, not swung at, not slapped at, not chopped at), and 4)
the batter is called out at first base or would have been out had
no error occurred.
Note: Just as the official scorer should award base hits instead
of charging errors in cases involving doubt, a play that meets all
four criteria for a sacrifice should be scored as such instead of simply
awarding a putout and assist (if applicable).
14.8.2 When, with fewer than two outs, the defense (without
error) fails to get the lead runner out on any type of bunt.
Note: If the lead runner is tagged out in an attempt to advance
more than one base, it is scored a fielder’s choice. If the batter is
obviously bunting for a hit in a situation in which a sacrifice is not
normally used, credit the hitter with an at-bat.
14.8.3 When, with fewer than two outs, the lead runner advances
by means of a bunt but a trailing runner is out.
14.8.4 When, with fewer than two outs and runners at first
and third base, the pitcher fields a bunt, holds the runner at
third base, throws the runner out at first base and the runner at
first advances safely to second base.
SECTION 9—SACRIFICE NOT CREDITED
No sacrifice is credited in the following situations:
14.9.1 When a lead runner advances on a bunt because of a
dropped good throw.
14.9.2 When a batter inadvertently taps the ball into fair territory
and it results in a runner advancing and the batter being
retired. The intent to sacrifice bunt must exist.
Note: Scoring for the left-handed running slapper should be the
same as for a traditional left- or right-handed batter. If the running
slapper clearly shows the intent to advance a base runner, credit
a sacrifice. If modifications are not made to the running slapper’s
swing or motion, charge an at-bat, even if a base runner advances.
What are your thoughts?
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