Kinda seems like that's how it always goes Fenway. It's like what happens when a high school player is called back to the plate for leaning into a curve ball? Ha ha ha. There is THAT parent who just knows that the call was rigged and rides the umpire for the rest of the night, bugging the fire out of people who know the rule. I think sociologists call it confirmation bias.
Sorry get off track, yes you are correct. It the stupidest rule in baseball and top 5 for any sport. A really good umpire will never make this call.
Did call some games and went to a clinic run by guys that went to the MLB school in FL. When we discussed this rule one of them said this:
If the ball is in the batters box that is on the pitcher - send them to 1st base.
Simple and if the defensive coach starts complaining he leaned into it - just say these words: Coach - the ball was in the batters box - where did you want him to go?
It happened to me that this argument eventually occurred - and I repeated the words above. Argument over and no hurt feelings. The look on his face was hysterical and his catcher said to me after we resumed - Good one Blue. I had a small chuckle on that.
I never once saw a batter even flinch much less go hunting a pitch over the plate to wear it. Saw dozens of them hold their ground in the box and get plunked - every one of them went to 1st base.