Hbp

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Okay, in two SEC games today, I have seen two girls intentionally lean into a pitch for a HBP. One got away with it, the other got called back. I think the new rule about not having to try to get out of the way is just paving the way for a ton of these situations. IMHO, if they get caught leaning in, I think they should be called out. That would eliminate that problem.

 

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I agree, I think if a player is called (caught) for leaning into a pitch, then it should be an auto. out. But personally I do like the new rule.

 

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Okay, in two SEC games today, I have seen two girls intentionally lean into a pitch for a HBP. One got away with it, the other got called back. I think the new rule about not having to try to get out of the way is just paving the way for a ton of these situations. IMHO, if they get caught leaning in, I think they should be called out. That would eliminate that problem.

or being drilled with a really good fastball ;-)

 

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Okay, in two SEC games today, I have seen two girls intentionally lean into a pitch for a HBP. One got away with it, the other got called back. I think the new rule about not having to try to get out of the way is just paving the way for a ton of these situations. IMHO, if they get caught leaning in, I think they should be called out. That would eliminate that problem.

I saw that in the Flo. vs. Tenn. game the young lady clearly stuck her knee out to get hit by the pitch, way to blow a call blue. I guess you get on base by any means.

 

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Don't think I would want to be hit by a big fat softball in the knee even if it's not a fastball.

 

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Okay, in two SEC games today, I have seen two girls intentionally lean into a pitch for a HBP. One got away with it, the other got called back. I think the new rule about not having to try to get out of the way is just paving the way for a ton of these situations. IMHO, if they get caught leaning in, I think they should be called out. That would eliminate that problem.

The rule only applies if the ball is entirely within the batter's box, which means it is 6+ inches off the plate. Was that the case in the 2 incidents you saw?

FWIW, the same rule went into effect for high school this year.

 

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Nope. Sure wasn't.

 

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Its another rule to get someone injured. Common sense would say if a wild pitch is coming at you to try and avoid being drilled. Next there will be a rule saying its ok to purposely hit a batter to "intentionally walk" them. I think they should at least have to make a effort to not be hit within reason. I thought rules were suppose to be in place to protect the players.

 

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If the batter is hit "in the box" the rule will help umpires be more consistent by taking out the judgment of, did the batter turn into the pitch or make a reasonable effort to avoid the pitch. I have seen a lot of inconsistencies when the pitch hits the ground and then the batter or when a batter is hit during the stride. I do agree with the posters that state the player should be out for interfering with a pitch in the strike zone by leaning into or placing their body in the path of the pitch. I have seem MANY of batters hit by a pitch in the strike zone awarded 1st base. Mainly slappers or batters attempting a bunt.

 

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Especially frustrating when a batter moves into a change-up and gets a base...Come on!!

 

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I do agree with the posters that state the player should be out for interfering with a pitch in the strike zone by leaning into or placing their body in the path of the pitch. I have seem MANY of batters hit by a pitch in the strike zone awarded 1st base. Mainly slappers or batters attempting a bunt.

But if a batter is hit by a pitch in the strike zone, did she prevent the defense from getting an out? No, she prevented them from getting a strike, so the penalty is to call it a strike. Generally, offensive players are penalized with an out when they do something that prevents the defense from getting an out, such as interfering with a batted ball or a play.

I think that calling an out for getting hit by a pitch in the strike zone would be too severe of a penalty. You would be rewarding the defense with something they would not have otherwise earned.

I'm surprised that you see "many batters hit by a pitch in the strike zone". Maybe it's just the view from the sidelines, coach's box or dugout. I think that I've called a strike because the pitch hit the batter in the strike zone twice over a span of hundreds of games in the last ten years. I'm just not seeing it happen all that often.

 

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I think it isnt in the spirit of competition to not make an attempt to get out of the way. I know it is a trend to want to try and take judgement out of every call umpires need to make but I disagree with taking this away from them. They just took one judgement call and turned it into another. Dont get me wrong I am all for taking one for the team but seeing a pitch that would easily be avoided by the batter then become a hit batter and first base is silly. Games I am watching every batter has an evoshield on their elbow so they can take advantage of this without risk. Where does it end. Will we see 12u girls with their entire arm covered in an evoshield.