Proposed change to FED HBP

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:
Modify:... ART. 4…Permit a pitched ball to touch him by intentionally moving or rolling any part of the body into the pitch.
PENALTY: The batter remains at bat (pitch is a ball or strike) unless pitch was a third strike or ball four.
NOTE: If the batter freezes and is hit by a pitch that is clearly inside the vertical lines of the batter’s box, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base.

Rationale: The additional wording and NOTE add clarity to the intent of the existing rule and make this common situation easier to interpret for everyone involved (officials, coaches, and student-athletes).

The rule will still be open to interpretation due to, "If the batter freezes..." To me, the word "freezes" indicates the batter is taken by surprise and doesn't know how to react. Fine for 80+ MPH fastballs. But, what about a change-up or breaking ball that just hangs? The batter should recognize this pitch and attempt a move. And if he doesn't? Is he freezing or taking one for the team? Thus, I would disagree with their rationale making "this common situation easier to interpret..."

I believe this part of the NOTE, "a pitch that is clearly inside the vertical lines of the batter’s box" is FED trying to get somewhat in line with the NCAA rule on HBP.

My association uses the NCAA rule as a guideline, particularly at the varsity level. The rationale is the batters box belongs to the batter and a pitcher has no business being there.

Why doesn't FED just say, "A batter gets hit while in the box and he gets first base" and be done with it?

That would make your group wrong. Several years ago Fed had a PO
E that said use the rules for the level you are working. This is a prime example. Whether you believe the NCAA rule is better, until they change it, you have to use the Fed rule in a Fed game. If Fed decides to change their rule, great, until then you can't just insert your version of the rule.

quote:

Originally posted by Michael S. Taylor:
That would make your group wrong. Several years ago Fed had a PO
E that said use the rules for the level you are working. This is a prime example. Whether you believe the NCAA rule is better, until they change it, you have to use the Fed rule in a Fed game. If Fed decides to change their rule, great, until then you can't just insert your version of the rule.

Additionally, NCAA changed their rule a couple of years ago.

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:

...NOTE: If the batter freezes and is hit by a pitch that is clearly inside the vertical lines of the batter’s box, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base.

Rationale: The additional wording and NOTE add clarity to the intent of the existing rule...

The rationale implies (rather directly) that the intent of the existing rule is to treat a HBP in the box the NCAA way.

Now we don't need a rule change.

quote:

Originally posted by dash_riprock:

quote:

Originally posted by Jimmy03:

...NOTE: If the batter freezes and is hit by a pitch that is clearly inside the vertical lines of the batter’s box, the ball is dead and the batter is awarded first base.

Rationale: The additional wording and NOTE add clarity to the intent of the existing rule...

The rationale implies (rather directly) that the intent of the existing rule is to treat a HBP in the box the NCAA way.

Now we don't need a rule change.

Unfortunately, the rationale is the opinion of the coach making the proposal. It does not have the effect of official interpretation.

This question is related but a little off the topic as well so hopefully the OP wont eject me from the game.

Some kids toe the inside line of the batters box to where portions of their body will be outside the vertical line. It is not therefore uncommon for them to get hit by an inside pitch which as we know is the goal of some players/coaches.
My question is how best to respectfully approach an umpire to raise your concerns before the aforementioned happens?

The problem is if they are legally in the box then they are allowed to lean out over the plate. What the PU has to do is keep an honest strike zone and not allow the batter to take the inside corner away from the pitcher. If he is in the zone then it is a strike and he is not getting his base. If it is out of the zone, the PU has to decide if it is a HBP or did he lean into it. It is a fine line between allowing the batter his legal space and allowing the pitcher his entire zone.