Question usssa rules
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- Dec 11, 2010
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My initial reaction was dead ball strike on an attempt. My first clue it was wrong was in the usssa rules, a batter struck in the box is awarded first base.
From USSSA interpretations reference bunt attempts:
In bunting, any movement of the bat toward the ball, when the ball is over or near the plate area, is a strike. In 2009, the definition of an attempted bunt changed. It is a strike if the bat is over the plate and the bat is not pull back from being over the plate. Holding the bat over the plate and not pulling it back is an attempt to bunt the ball. A strike should be called.
First, was the pitch in the strike zone? If so, it is simply a strike.
Second, did the batter swing at the pitched ball or in the case of a bunt attempt, did she move the bat toward the pitched ball or hold the bat in the strike zone?
If in doubt or if blocked out, the pitch should be called a ball. Umpires will not call the pitch a strike unless it was in the strike zone or the batter swung at the ball. If the umpire calls the pitch a ball and the catcher requests help, the umpire should ask for help.
From USSSA interpretations reference bunt attempts:
In bunting, any movement of the bat toward the ball, when the ball is over or near the plate area, is a strike. In 2009, the definition of an attempted bunt changed. It is a strike if the bat is over the plate and the bat is not pull back from being over the plate. Holding the bat over the plate and not pulling it back is an attempt to bunt the ball. A strike should be called.
First, was the pitch in the strike zone? If so, it is simply a strike.
Second, did the batter swing at the pitched ball or in the case of a bunt attempt, did she move the bat toward the pitched ball or hold the bat in the strike zone?
If in doubt or if blocked out, the pitch should be called a ball. Umpires will not call the pitch a strike unless it was in the strike zone or the batter swung at the ball. If the umpire calls the pitch a ball and the catcher requests help, the umpire should ask for help.
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"It is a strike if the bat is over the plate and the bat is not pull back from being over the plate. Holding the bat over the plate and not pulling it back is an attempt to bunt the ball. A strike should be called."
It's all in the umpire's interpretation of whether the bat was over the plate when the ball arrived. If not, and she's hit, then First Base. If the ruling is that she was trying to bunt the ball, then it's a strike, even if it hits her.
It's all in the umpire's interpretation of whether the bat was over the plate when the ball arrived. If not, and she's hit, then First Base. If the ruling is that she was trying to bunt the ball, then it's a strike, even if it hits her.
- Jun 22, 2008
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One of the dumbest damn rules in some rule sets.
- Dec 11, 2010
- 4,721
- 113
Previously discussed here, Eddieq and others detailed differences. MTR, you had pretty much the same reaction on the topic in 2015, lol!
https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-rules-questions/24345-bunting-rule.html
https://www.discussfastpitch.com/softball-rules-questions/24345-bunting-rule.html
- Jun 22, 2008
- 3,438
- 48
Consistency is usually a good thing in sports officiating. As you noted, my opinion of the rule haven't changed.
