Thread: Hit Batter (by Pitch) USSSA vs ASA.

In our schedule, we play about 6 USSSA tournaments and 6 ASA tournaments. We have had several instances in USSSA this year where a batter hit by pitch (HBP) was not awarded first base because the PU did not think the batter made an effort to avoid being hit. Some of our weaker hitters at the bottom of the lineup do not have the best reaction times, and often times freeze at the plate. I prefer the ASA note that states:

Note: The benefit of any doubt must go to the batter and could include a batter
freezing and unable to move due to the unusual movement or speed of the pitch.

The way the USSSA rule is written and applied does not seem to take into account those players who are frozen by the pitch or do not react quickly. The benefit of the doubt under USSSA is not with the batter.

USSSA:
RULE 7. BATTING
Sec 11. A batter shall not permit a pitched ball to touch him
PENALTY: The batter remains at bat (pitch is a ball or strike), unless pitch
was a third strike.

RULE 10. DEAD BALL - SUSPENSION OF PLAY
Sec 1. The batter is awarded 1st base and all base runners advance one base (if
forced), when a pitched ball, not struck at and not called a strike, touches any
part of the batter's person or clothing (if not loose garment). The ball may
strike the ground before it hits the batter.
EXCEPTION: If the batter makes no effort to avoid being hit, the hitting of
the batter is disregarded. The ball is dead immediately and is a strike or ball
depending on location of the pitch.
Note:
1. It does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter.
2. The batter’s hands are not considered part of the bat.
3. If a batter swings and the ball hits his hands which send it into fair or foul
territory, the ball is dead immediately; A strike is called on the batter;
and if it is the third strike, the batter is out.


ASA:
11.16 Hit Batter (by Pitch)
11.16.1 A batter is awarded first base when a pitched ball is entirely within the
batter’s box and it strikes the batter or her clothing. No attempt to avoid being
hit by the pitch is required however the batter may not obviously try to get hit
by the pitch (See Rule 11.16.3.1).
11.16.2 A batter is awarded first base when a pitched ball neither swung at nor
called a strike touches any part of the batter’s person or clothing while she is
in the batter’s box, except as noted in Rule 11.16.3 that follows.
EFFECT— (11.16.1-11.16.2)— The ball is dead. The batter is entitled to
first base without liability to be put out. Base runners may not
advance unless forced.
Notes:
1. It does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter.
2. The batter’s hands are not considered part of the bat.
3. If a batter swings and the ball hits her hands sending it into fair or foul
territory, the ball is dead and a strike is called on the batter. If it is strike three,
the batter is out.
11.16.3 The hit batter shall not be awarded first base under the following
circumstances:
11.16.3.1 The batter made no attempt to avoid the pitch (which is not entirely
in the batter’s box) or she obviously tried to get hit by the pitch (regardless
of its location).
EFFECT—The ball is dead. The pitch is a ball or strike (depending on
its location), and the batter remains at bat, except the batter
is declared out if the pitch was a third strike or the batter is
awarded first base if the pitch was “Ball four.” Base runners
advance if forced.
116 RULE 11 / BATTING
Note: The benefit of any doubt must go to the batter and could include a batter
freezing and unable to move due to the unusual movement or speed of the pitch.
11.16.3.2 The batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone.
EFFECT—The ball is dead. The pitch is a strike. The batter is declared out if
the pitch was a third strike; otherwise, she remains at bat. Each
base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time
of the pitch.
11.16.3.3 The pitched ball touches any part of the batter’s person as she
swings and misses for a third strike.
EFFECT—The ball is dead. The batter is declared out, and each base runner
must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
11.16.3.4 The batter is hit by a pitch out of the front of the batter’s box,
assuming she did not swing or attempt to bunt.
EFFECT—“No Pitch.”

I like the ASA note since it basically helps the umpire know what to do when he is unsure or on the fence...basically give the benefit of the doubt to the batter.

In the end I don't know that it really matters that much I only umped for three years but for me it was always the rare exception that I did not give the girl first base on a HBP and it usually involved some movement by the batter towards the ball or freezing on a ball that was barely going to hit them. This is a call that will just forever be a judgement call and I think the mind of the umpire is not necessarily swayed by the rulebook.

Except 1 instance a couple weeks ago I can't think of any usssa game we have played that the batter didn't get base on hbp. That instance it was ruled that the batter swung.

I like the ASA version. Because there are instances where the batter can't attempt to get out of the way.