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HBP - Wait - Strike three

08Dad08Dad1,000+ posts
I saw something this weekend in the local Juco game that I only ever saw one time before (back when I was playing little league and was the pitcher and the world was still black and white).

Batter turns into a inside fastball, dipping his elbow in.

Gets dinged off the biceps, flips his bat away and start jogging to first - Ump rings him up - strike three. Runner on first that was stealing second, returned to first.

Coach goes nuts - but to no avail...

Anyone else see (or call) this play before?
" There's nothing cooler than a guy who does what we dream of doing, and then enjoys it as much as we dream we would enjoy it. " -- Scott Ostler on Tim Lincecum
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08Dad08Dad1,000+ posts
I was right behind home plate - where all the best umps are - and it sure looked like a thigh high inside corner strike to me.

I wasn't questioning the call - more interested in people's stories about it being called as I don't see it called very often - twice in a lifetime of watching at least 100 games a year.
D dash_riprock1,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by 08Dad:
I was right behind home plate - where all the best umps are - and it sure looked like a thigh high inside corner strike to me.

That's good enough for me. If he'd rather try and cheat his way on base than swing the bat, then he deserves to be rung up. I have a few of those. And don't even think about arguing that strike call.
RJMRJMHSBaseballWeb member since 2007
Through 16U I've seen far more kids get away with leaning into pitches and get the HBP than get called for it. I think I've seen the hitter caught three times.

I've read in the past couple of years it's become a problem in college ball with the number of players becoming skilled in taking one for the team. It doesn't take much more than dipping the arm in while turning away. Most umpires see the body twisting away.
Last edited by RJM
S stepupandplay10+ posts
Saw the exact same play in a college game tonight...1-2 count, batter leaned in and "took it", and the umpire made him stay at the plate. Opposing coach went nuts, wanting strike 3 (which it looked like from my Dad vantage point)....umpires conferenced...came back with a "ball 2" call..

Funny thing was, the same kid had leaned in and took one in his first AB, and got the HBP call. Even funnier, he was the leading hitter on his team, at .368 BA. The catcalls from the stands were heard across the field...LOL

Whats the point of the conference? Was the HP ump confused as to whether he could call strike 3 or not? certainly the BU wasnt gonna help him make that call....no idea really what the BU could help with there, unless he could say he was over the plate when hit (runner on 1st, BU in position 2)
Jimmy03Jimmy031,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by stepupandplay:
Saw the exact same play in a college game tonight...1-2 count, batter leaned in and "took it", and the umpire made him stay at the plate. Opposing coach went nuts, wanting strike 3 (which it looked like from my Dad vantage point)....umpires conferenced...came back with a "ball 2" call..

Funny thing was, the same kid had leaned in and took one in his first AB, and got the HBP call. Even funnier, he was the leading hitter on his team, at .368 BA. The catcalls from the stands were heard across the field...LOL

Whats the point of the conference? Was the HP ump confused as to whether he could call strike 3 or not? certainly the BU wasnt gonna help him make that call....no idea really what the BU could help with there, unless he could say he was over the plate when hit (runner on 1st, BU in position 2)


Coach was arguing balls and strikes. I'm surprised that was allowed, especially seeing the coach "went nuts." He'd have enjoyed the balance of the game from the locker room in one of my games.

I, too was wondering why the conference. Again, the issue is balls and strikes and BU can be of no help here.

What level of college was this? The crew does not sound like an experienced D-1 crew...or D-3 for that matter.
Last edited by Jimmy03
Jimmy03Jimmy031,000+ posts
quote:
Originally posted by Doughnutman:
Maybe the crew were just giving the coach time to calm down so they didn't have to kick him out.


Appearances are important.

If I even gave an impression that I was going to my partner on ball/strike call, other than a check swing, my college assignor would find someone else to finish my season.
S stepupandplay10+ posts
Well, the coach was quiet during the conference, after he'd approached the PU with the issue...both umps talking animatedly...PU turns back to home, shakes his head at the coach...so I have no idea what the possible topic of the conference was...i doubt the PU walked all the way to midfield to tell his BU "lets just bull**** a while and hope he calms down"...LOL

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