This past weekend one of my players was hit with a pitch in her right forearm, and upon tossing her bat to take her base the umpire called a dead ball strike and called her back into the batters box to complete her at bat. Two things, I know that recently they changed the rule that you no longer have to avoid being hit by a pitch, but this is the first I've heard a the dead ball strike called. Maybe I missed something and I don't recall reading about his in the new rules.
I assume this rule was implemented to avoid having hitters lean into pitches that are over the plate, but this particular at bat, the ball grazed my batter, and the catcher happened to catch it off the bounce off of her arm. Obviously this is a judgment call by the umpire as to whether it would have been a strike.
I find this a very difficult call especially with the pitcher we were facing who was a hard throwing pitcher with a lot of movement on her ball.
Can anyone elaborate on the rule for me and how often does the really get called?
Thanks!
I assume this rule was implemented to avoid having hitters lean into pitches that are over the plate, but this particular at bat, the ball grazed my batter, and the catcher happened to catch it off the bounce off of her arm. Obviously this is a judgment call by the umpire as to whether it would have been a strike.
I find this a very difficult call especially with the pitcher we were facing who was a hard throwing pitcher with a lot of movement on her ball.
Can anyone elaborate on the rule for me and how often does the really get called?
Thanks!