I have not seen it but I heard about it and was wondering if its true. if a bunter holds the bat over the plate without moving the bat at all and the pitcher throws a ball even though the bunter doesn't pull back. it still is a ball then?
bunting rule?
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- Jun 22, 2008
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Just as it should be if the ball doesn't enter the strike zone.
Only rule sets that are coach oriented have a rule which demands a strike ruling for not pulling the bat back
Yeah I heard they changed that but wasn't for sure
- Mar 1, 2013
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First, was the pitch in the strike zone? If so, that's a strike.
If the pitch is out of the strike zone, different associations rule that differently.
ASA "...On a bunt attempt where the batter puts the bat across the plate and the pitched ball is out of the strike zone, a ball should be called unless the batter moves the bat toward the ball." (RS 10.D)
NSA "The mere holding of the bat in the strike zone is considered a bunt attempt no matter the placement of the pitch. To take the pitch batter must withdraw the bat away from the ball. Rule 1-14"
PONY (POE 8.d) "...on a bunt attempt where the batter puts the bat across the plate, unless the batter moves the bat towards the ball, a strike would not be called if the ball is out of the strike zone."
USSSA "...Holding the bat in the strikezone is considered an attempt to bunt. In order to take a pitch, the bat must be pulled back away from the ball." (Definition of Bunt, Attempted)
So, ASA and PONY, you don't have to pull back the bat. NSA and USSSA, you have to withdraw the bat.
If the pitch is out of the strike zone, different associations rule that differently.
ASA "...On a bunt attempt where the batter puts the bat across the plate and the pitched ball is out of the strike zone, a ball should be called unless the batter moves the bat toward the ball." (RS 10.D)
NSA "The mere holding of the bat in the strike zone is considered a bunt attempt no matter the placement of the pitch. To take the pitch batter must withdraw the bat away from the ball. Rule 1-14"
PONY (POE 8.d) "...on a bunt attempt where the batter puts the bat across the plate, unless the batter moves the bat towards the ball, a strike would not be called if the ball is out of the strike zone."
USSSA "...Holding the bat in the strikezone is considered an attempt to bunt. In order to take a pitch, the bat must be pulled back away from the ball." (Definition of Bunt, Attempted)
So, ASA and PONY, you don't have to pull back the bat. NSA and USSSA, you have to withdraw the bat.
My youngest DD plays ASA rec, so I've made it a point to ask the plate ump for each game the OP's question at some point early in the game. 9 out of 10 reply with "that's a strike." I don't try to correct him/her, I just inform my batters that they need to pull the bat back. I know I shouldn't have to, but it isn't worth arguing over at the rec level.
NFHS (HS) and NCAA also have the requirement to pull the bat back or it is a strike, regardless of the pitch location
- Mar 1, 2013
- 414
- 43
I had a coach loudly complaining at a college showcase that I didn't call a strike on a pitch that his catcher had to leap to catch when the batter was squared to bunt and didn't make a move toward the ball. He was adamant that this was the ASA rule that she had to pull it back. I merely said, "In ASA, she doesn't have to pull it back, but you're welcome to protest if you like."
He shut up his loud complaining, but you could here him grumbling. How about you have your pitcher throw a strike instead of arguing a silly point especially when you're in the wrong?
yes the incident I heard about was a ASA tournament. which until I heard about it always thought you had to pull back. (learn something everyday
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NFHS Attempted Bunt. Any non-swinging movement of the bat intended to tap the ball into play. Holding the bat in the strike zone is considered a bunt attempt. In order to take a pitch, the bat must be withdrawn – pulled backward and away from the ball.
