The NCAA Rule for 2024:
11.13 Hit Batter (by Pitch)
11.13.1 A batter is awarded first base when a pitch, neither swung at nor called a strike, is entirely within the batter’s box and it strikes the batter or their 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 11.13.23.1)
11.13.2 A batter is awarded first base when a pitch neither swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter or their clothing while they are in the
batter’s box, except as noted in Rule 11.13.3 that follows.
EFFECT (11.13.1 and 11.13.2)—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 their 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.
11.13.3 The hit batter shall not be awarded first base under the following circumstances:
11.13.3.1 The batter made no attempt to avoid the pitch (which is not entirely in the batter’s box) or they 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.
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.
11.13.3.2 The batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone or by a pitch that does not reach the plate but would have been in the strike zone had it not hit the batter.
EFFECT—The ball is dead. The pitch is a strike. The batter is declared out if the pitch was a third strike; otherwise, they remain at bat. Each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
11.13.3.3 The pitch touches any part of the batter, including their hands or clothing, as they swing and miss 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.
11.13.3.4 The batter is hit by a pitch that has not yet reached the front line of the batter’s box, and is not judged as having been able to enter the strike zone, assuming they did not swing or attempt to bunt.
11.13 Hit Batter (by Pitch)
11.13.1 A batter is awarded first base when a pitch, neither swung at nor called a strike, is entirely within the batter’s box and it strikes the batter or their 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 11.13.23.1)
11.13.2 A batter is awarded first base when a pitch neither swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter or their clothing while they are in the
batter’s box, except as noted in Rule 11.13.3 that follows.
EFFECT (11.13.1 and 11.13.2)—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 their 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.
11.13.3 The hit batter shall not be awarded first base under the following circumstances:
11.13.3.1 The batter made no attempt to avoid the pitch (which is not entirely in the batter’s box) or they 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.
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.
11.13.3.2 The batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone or by a pitch that does not reach the plate but would have been in the strike zone had it not hit the batter.
EFFECT—The ball is dead. The pitch is a strike. The batter is declared out if the pitch was a third strike; otherwise, they remain at bat. Each base runner must return to the base legally occupied at the time of the pitch.
11.13.3.3 The pitch touches any part of the batter, including their hands or clothing, as they swing and miss 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.
11.13.3.4 The batter is hit by a pitch that has not yet reached the front line of the batter’s box, and is not judged as having been able to enter the strike zone, assuming they did not swing or attempt to bunt.
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