Hit by pitch out of box

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Nov 5, 2009
549
18
St. Louis MO
A question for all of the umpires out there - ASA rules 18U. A batter was attempting to slap, but started her run early. She was out in front of the batter's box when she was hit by the pitch. Does she get awarded first base if the pitch is a ball? How would the umpire determine if the pitch was a ball or a strike if it never crossed the plate? The umpire awarded 1st base to the batter. Not really questioning the call, just don't know the rule.
 
Mar 13, 2010
1,758
48
I don't know ASA rules, but to me she would be out, because she was out of the box. If she'd connected with the ball, she would have been out for batting out of the box, so why is she given first?
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
I don't know ASA rules, but to me she would be out, because she was out of the box. If she'd connected with the ball, she would have been out for batting out of the box, so why is she given first?

That would be if the batter hit the ball with the bat, not her body.
 
Mar 13, 2010
960
0
Columbus, Ohio
It's a situation maybe not specifically covered in the ASA rule book, but ASA has issued the following guidelines for calling this play:

Play: B2 a slap hitter, is hit by a pitched ball while out in front of the batter’s box. In a) that B2 ducks to try to avoid being hit but is still struck in the head and b) B2 is hit before having the time to avoid being hit by the pitch.

Ruling: In a) If in the umpire’s judgment the batter made an attempt to get out of the way, the umpire should award the batter 1B. In b) since the batter made no attempt to get out of the way of the pitch this would be a dead ball and keep the batter up to bat.

ASA rules apply to a hit batter in three ways. Rule 7 Section 4H and M applies if the batter swung or prevented the ball from entering the strike zone. This would be a dead ball strike, Rule 8 Section 1F: When a pitched ball not swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter’s person including the hands or clothing. EFFECT: Dead Ball the batter is entitled to first base without liability to be put out. EXCEPTION: If no attempt is made to avoid being hit, the batter will not be awarded 1B unless it is ball four.

ASA has always said that a pitch can fool a batter and they may not have time get out of the way. Umpires should use the thought process of the ball does not belong in the box and the benefit of doubt is given to the batter. When the batter is in front of the batter’s box the reaction time is decreased and they could be hit with the ball before they have time to react and get out of the way. In this case the umpire should use a similar thought process that the batter does not belong in front of the box and if the reaction time is reduced, the benefit of the doubt should be given to the pitcher.

So apply the rule and use common sense when determining when a batter makes an attempt to keep from getting hit, while in the box does not have time to make an attempt or while in the front of the box makes no attempt to keep from being hit. Keep in mind, it will always be a dead ball and a batter will either be awarded 1B or stay at bat with a ball added to the count.
 

Greenmonsters

Wannabe Duck Boat Owner
Feb 21, 2009
6,168
38
New England
It's a situation maybe not specifically covered in the ASA rule book, but ASA has issued the following guidelines for calling this play:

Play: B2 a slap hitter, is hit by a pitched ball while out in front of the batter’s box. In a) that B2 ducks to try to avoid being hit but is still struck in the head and b) B2 is hit before having the time to avoid being hit by the pitch.

Ruling: In a) If in the umpire’s judgment the batter made an attempt to get out of the way, the umpire should award the batter 1B. In b) since the batter made no attempt to get out of the way of the pitch this would be a dead ball and keep the batter up to bat.

ASA rules apply to a hit batter in three ways. Rule 7 Section 4H and M applies if the batter swung or prevented the ball from entering the strike zone. This would be a dead ball strike, Rule 8 Section 1F: When a pitched ball not swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter’s person including the hands or clothing. EFFECT: Dead Ball the batter is entitled to first base without liability to be put out. EXCEPTION: If no attempt is made to avoid being hit, the batter will not be awarded 1B unless it is ball four.

ASA has always said that a pitch can fool a batter and they may not have time get out of the way. Umpires should use the thought process of the ball does not belong in the box and the benefit of doubt is given to the batter. When the batter is in front of the batter’s box the reaction time is decreased and they could be hit with the ball before they have time to react and get out of the way. In this case the umpire should use a similar thought process that the batter does not belong in front of the box and if the reaction time is reduced, the benefit of the doubt should be given to the pitcher.

So apply the rule and use common sense when determining when a batter makes an attempt to keep from getting hit, while in the box does not have time to make an attempt or while in the front of the box makes no attempt to keep from being hit. Keep in mind, it will always be a dead ball and a batter will either be awarded 1B or stay at bat with a ball added to the count.

It would always be called a ball? This makes no sense - all a batter has to do is run at the pitch and get hit out of the box 4x in a row to reach base????? Might be painfull, but...
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
If in the umpires judgement the batter kept the ball from entering the strike zone, it would be ruled a strike regardless of if they got hit or not.
 
Jul 26, 2010
3,567
0
If in the umpires judgement the batter kept the ball from entering the strike zone, it would be ruled a strike regardless of if they got hit or not.

Right, which be the correct call if the batter is in front of the box and ALSO in front of home plate, which happens when someone makes a poor attempt at drag bunting from the RH box.

-W
 
Mar 13, 2010
960
0
Columbus, Ohio
It would always be called a ball? This makes no sense - all a batter has to do is run at the pitch and get hit out of the box 4x in a row to reach base????? Might be painfull, but...

If the batter didn't swing at the pitch...

And if the batter didn't prevent the pitch from entering the strike zone...

And if the batter did successfully avoid the pitch...

Then this would be ruled a ball anyway. Allowing herself to get hit offers no additional advantage. Now she has a ball added to her count...and a nice bruise to go along with it!
 
Nov 5, 2009
549
18
St. Louis MO
Thanks for the clarification. One of the parents watching thought she would be out as she was out of the box. I was fairly certain that wasn't correct, but wasn't sure if awarding 1st base was correct. It sounds as if it was.
 

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