Hit Batter (by Pitch) USSSA vs ASA.

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Jun 18, 2010
2,624
38
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.
 

redhotcoach

Out on good behavior
May 8, 2009
4,706
38
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.
 
Mar 11, 2009
431
0
I like the ASA version. Because there are instances where the batter can't attempt to get out of the way.
 
Jul 17, 2012
175
28
Kenmore, WA
With the change from ASA to USA Softball did the rule change on the batter being required to make an attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch? We played in a USA Softball tournament and the plate ump told me that under ASA rules she does not have to move, but under USA rules she does have to make an attempt to avoid being hit. I didn't think there was a difference in the rule.
 

Top_Notch

Screwball
Dec 18, 2014
512
63
Sorta related, but my DD actually kicked a change up back to the pitcher that was thrown directly at her and softly landed in the dirt (within the batter's box). She was not awarded first base (as the plate umpire mentioned her kicking the ball) although the ball clearly would have hit her had she not booted it back to the pitcher. It was a funny play, and I told her to not move next time.
 

Josh Greer

DFP Vendor
Jul 31, 2013
934
93
Central Missouri
My biggest issue with USSSA rule, and the general misinterpretation of it, is how we have taught our kids to deal with a potential HBP through the years. Starting at a young age, we would fling tennis balls at them and teach them to pull the bat down and turn away from the ball, exposing the soft side portion of the back (not the spine). The kids learned that this was far safer (and less painful) than trying to bail out of a pitch and potentially get hit in the wrong spot, or turn an ankle or knee in the process. By this rule, some umps will say the batter didn't try to avoid impact. Seems like the ASA rule does a better job of addressing this. Yea, you are going to have soft flingers, where an HBP isn't dangerous. But I would rather this protection method become instinct now, before they go up against a stud pitcher when they get older.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
With the change from ASA to USA Softball did the rule change on the batter being required to make an attempt to avoid being hit by the pitch? We played in a USA Softball tournament and the plate ump told me that under ASA rules she does not have to move, but under USA rules she does have to make an attempt to avoid being hit. I didn't think there was a difference in the rule.

USA is just rebranded ASA and the rules are exactly the same. There have been no changes, in ASA the batter was required to make an attempt to avoid the pitch and the rule still exists in USA.

For that matter, even the rule change in NFHS, USSSA, NCAA still requires the batter to make an attempt to avoid if the ball is not entirely inside the batters box. Too many people including officials stop reading the rule after it says no attempt to avoid required. The rule goes on to state if the ball is not entirely within the batters box and the batter did not make an attempt to avoid the ball it is considered to be an attempt to be intentionally hit and the batter should not be awarded 1st base.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
USA is just rebranded ASA and the rules are exactly the same. There have been no changes, in ASA the batter was required to make an attempt to avoid the pitch and the rule still exists in USA.

For that matter, even the rule change in NFHS, USSSA, NCAA still requires the batter to make an attempt to avoid if the ball is not entirely inside the batters box. Too many people including officials stop reading the rule after it says no attempt to avoid required. The rule goes on to state if the ball is not entirely within the batters box and the batter did not make an attempt to avoid the ball it is considered to be an attempt to be intentionally hit and the batter should not be awarded 1st base.

I much prefer the NFHS, etc. rule. If a pitcher is so wild that a pitch is entirely within the box, I see no reason why the batter should be forced to attempt to help the pitcher out by getting out of the way.
 

2br02b

Trabant swing
Jul 25, 2017
303
43
Had an instance 2 seasons ago (12U-USSSA), where our batter got hit in the left butt cheek twice in a row, then in the knee - same at bat. After each of the first two, the ump ruled she didn't try to get out of the way. When it hit her knee, he said she intentionally tried to get hit. She was bawling - not because it hurt - she told me after- but because he was accusing her of trying to get hit. Umpire walks over to our dugout entrance (I guess to give her a break) and says "Don't teach your kids this stuff." So, I guess his mind was made up - it was intentional and we were teaching them to get hit... Unbelievable...

In the end she hit a triple, but when she came back to the bench she said that the first two she froze on because they were "dead on" - she didn't think she could get out of the way. The 3rd one, she was loading to swing at the inside pitch and it hit her left knee...
 
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