0-2 count. The batter squares to bunt. Pitch is running inside, and batter pulls the bat back trying to get out of the way. But the ball hits the bat. Is the batter out for a foul bunt with two strikes?
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Depends on if it's determined he truly pulled the bat back.
Is it a strike if the batter (who is not bunting) ducks under a ball thrown over his head and it hits the bat that's resting on his shoulder?
And then if the ball (after hitting the bat) bounces straight back toward the pitcher in front of the mound is it a fair ball?
I'm pretty sure the answers to those questions should answer your question.
chazball posted:Depends on if it's determined he truly pulled the bat back.
It doesn’t depend on anything. If the ball hits the bat it’s a strike. In situation posed by OP the batter is out.
Sorry, if the batter has pulled the bat back out of the strike zone and ball is out of the strike zone, if the batter is not deemed to be bunting, it's a dead ball strike and the batter is not out. Umpire's discretion/call.
chazball posted:Sorry, if the batter has pulled the bat back out of the strike zone and ball is out of the strike zone, if the batter is not deemed to be bunting, it's a dead ball strike and the batter is not out. Umpire's discretion/call.
Any call labeled “umpires discretion” will be called wrong more often than not. JMO
All of those calls are at the umpire's discretion though, right? I've already seem some horrible calls this preseason. Doesn't matter what I think, umpire's call. Just trying to give my opinion on the OP's question.
Is it a strike if the batter (who is not bunting) ducks under a ball thrown over his head and it hits the bat that's resting on his shoulder?
Of course it is a strike, but if that same batter ducks with two strikes and the ball hits his bat he is not out! Simply a foul ball, BUT in this situation is a little different because he was in the act of bunting. You bunt and foul the ball off with two strikes OUT but a foul on a pulled back bat, that would mean he is NOT bunting.... a little different situation!
It needs to be a bunt attempt...pulling the bat back isn't an attempt any more.
It’s a foul ball. The batter setting up for a bunt attempt is not yet a bunt. His pulling the bat back is no longer a bunt attempt. The pitch hitting the bat, in such a manner, is akin to the pitch hitting the knob on a pitch up-and-in, or hitting the bat while the batter is dropping it while ducking a pitch behind him. Are those regarded as swing attempts? No. However, once the pitch hits the bat (first), the ball becomes subject to a fair/foul judgement like any other batted ball.
I believe you are correct about Umpire judgement and horrible calls....in my opinion, It needs to be a bunt attempt...pulling the bat back isn't an attempt any more.
I agree with Absorbers take on this.
Just to be clear, the act of the ball hitting the bat--with the batter NOT having been judged to "offer" at the pitch--will result in a fair or foul ball (or anything else that could result in the same scenario) just as in the examples I offered in my earlier post.
Hey guys check out this ruling; https://www.closecallsports.co...all-fouled-away.html