Batter hit by a pitched ball that hit the dirt ?

[liviking]

My DD throw a pitch that she released a little too early . She is 10 y/o ,the batter did not not get out of the way fast enough and the ball bounced off the dirt and hit her in the leg . I thought the call should of been a ball but the ump awarded the batter first base . We are playing in a tourney that is governed by ASA and LL rules . My first year coaching so I new at this . The batter was in the batters box ,if that matters . Thanks in advance for your help ! I did bet the ump a beer that I was correct and he was wrong - LOL !

 

[quincy]

You owe him a beer.

 

[Comp]

A ball that bounces in dirt is still a pitched ball and if it hits the batter it is a hit by pitch. Also, a ball that goes in the dirt can go just about any direction, so the batter is going to get a lot more leeway in making an attempt to get out of the way.

 

[Amy in AZ.]

liviking, I think that the ump has a rule book - and you don't.

 

[Greenmonsters]

liviking, I think that the ump has a rule book - and you don't.

Don't know if you're right about this Amy, but I'd be willing to bet a beer that if the coach did have a rule book he hasn't read it.

 

[GI Tom]

Let's just go ahead and put this to rest right now.

liviking, for ASA it is Rule 8-1(F) "The batter becomes a batter-runner when a pitched ball not swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter's person including the hands or clothing. EFFECT: Dead ball, the batter is entitled to one first base without liability to be put out. EXCEPTION: If no attempt is made to avoid being hit, the batter will not be awarded first base unless it is ball four. NOTE: The batter's hands are not part of the bat." Page 84 of the 2011 rulebook.

Only time they should not be awarded first is if they don't get out of the way or if the pitched ball was called a strike or would have been called a strike. That would mean the batter was in the actual strikezone or swung at the pitch before it hit her.

Better go get that beer.

 

[liviking]

Wow Thank you all for a quick lesson ! I will find out what kind of beer he likes - LOL ! I do not have a rule book but I will be buying one very soon . None of the coaches knew or had a rule book . Lesson learned - know the rules ! Good ump ,was able to take a joke and was great with the kids . Amy I have found your posts very helpful in helping my daughter in her pitching . A personal Thanks ! Thank you all again ,this is a great site . We lost 6-4 ,the hit pitch was not a reason why we lost . DD pitched 5 innings had 10 strikeouts . Each team picks the outstanding player from the other team . A very nice touch , my DD was awarded the medal for our team . Great sportsmanship all around ! Thanks again !

 

[BretMan]

Don't feel too bad about having this one wrong. This is one of the most prevalent and enduring rule myths in youth baseball and softball! Hardly a year goes by when I don't get this argument in at least one of my games. Heck, I can remember arguments about this one when I played youth baseball 35 years ago!

 

[Amy in AZ.]

Rule books are hard to come by, for some reason. I am glad you have a sense of humor.

Another call that people want all the time, is that the "hands are part of the bat." No, they are not. Somewhere on the Internet there is a list of rule myths.

 

[LAdad]

EXCEPTION: If no attempt is made to avoid being hit, the batter will not be awarded first base unless it is ball four.

Unfortunately, there is no description of what it means to "attempt to avoid being hit." In practice, it seems that any kind of movement is considered an attempt, even if the ball bounced three times and would have missed the batter if she had not moved at all.