Hit by Pitch Rule NCAA

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Watching Maryland vs. Georgia Tech yesterday, saw the Maryland pitcher hit several GT batters. The batters made no effort to move and were awarded base. The announcers stated ,that the new rule for NCAA this year, if the pitch was in the batters box the batter does not have to move, or attempt to move.

Will this rule be a new rule for ASA as well?

 

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Yes, that is a new rule for NCAA softball (NCAA baseball has used it for a few years already).

As of this date, the rule has not been adopted by ASA (or any other level below NCAA that I'm aware of).

 

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Thats very interesting bretman. So in the case of a 38 foot changeup that ends up in the box the batter does not have to move their feet?????

 

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That exact scenario almost happened yesterday Mark and MK and I were like WTH? Until they explained new rule......

 

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Thats very interesting bretman. So in the case of a 38 foot changeup that ends up in the box the batter does not have to move their feet?????

If the pitch is inside the batter's box, then the batter is no longer required to make any effort to avoid it- even on a bouncer.

 

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Saw UK and S. Carolina play Saturday. Riley hit 4 that game. 2nd one for sure the batter didn't so much as twitch and got first base. Heard someone in the stands question the fact she didn't attempt move. Guess this explains it.

 

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I was watching a college game on TV the other night, can't recall who was playing, but the pitcher hit a girl in the arm who was clearly leaning out over the plate and she got the HBP walk. Watching the replay, the ball was clearly NOT in the batters box and no attempt was made to avoid the hit.

 

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We have seen this rule abused a lot this season. We watched four batters in the same inning set up with their arms and elbows over the plate. All four were awarded first base. Another "new" rule we saw on Saturday was when a runner left the base early, the team was given the choice between taking the out for the runner leaving early or taking the pitch. The defensive team chose the pitch because it was a called strike three on the best batter on the team.

 

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We have seen this rule abused a lot this season. We watched four batters in the same inning set up with their arms and elbows over the plate. All four were awarded first base. Another "new" rule we saw on Saturday was when a runner left the base early, the team was given the choice between taking the out for the runner leaving early or taking the pitch. The defensive team chose the pitch because it was a called strike three on the best batter on the team.

If the batter's arm/elbow is "over the plate", that's where they get hit and they get a base award...then it sounds like the ones abusing the rule are the umpires!

Really, there's no way that a batter could even abuse this rule. As long as their feet are in the box like they're supposed to be, they can lean wherever they want. That's perfectly legal and always has been. If the ball hits them outside of the batter's box, and they purposely let it hit them, they shouldn't be awarded first. It should just be a ball or strike, depending on the pitch's relation to the strike zone- and a painful lesson not to do that again!

The other rule is a new one this year. When a runner leaves early (before pitch release) it is no longer an immediate dead ball and automatic out. It is a delayed dead ball, meaning that the ball stays live until the end of the play. Then the defensive coach gets to choose between the result of the play or the leaving early penalty.

 

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bretman - is the leave early rule an ASA rule for this year. I like that!!

 

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No, it's just NCAA. Maybe it will trickle down eventually, but there aren't any changes in the works at this date.

 

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The other rule is a new one this year. When a runner leaves early (before pitch release) it is no longer an immediate dead ball and automatic out. It is a delayed dead ball, meaning that the ball stays live until the end of the play. Then the defensive coach gets to choose between the result of the play or the leaving early penalty.

Wow! I had no idea this was a new rule! I've watched quite a few games this spring and have seen numerous runners leave early. Although, the umps just called them out and a dead ball. I haven't seen the delayed dead ball and having the coach choose between the result or leaving early penalty.

 

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The new HBP rule I think is a good one. Before, you had players trying to get hit by pitches and the umpires having a very difficult time deciding whether to give them the base. Now, the onus is on the pitcher/catcher to keep the ball out of the batter's box. I like the rule.

The leaving early rarely gets called. We've had it called twice on us this year, including once yesterday. Most umpires pretend to watch for it, but seem to be daydreaming instead, and that's at the college level. If I were a high school coach I'd be running wild until umpires or a really good catcher stopped us.

 

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No, it's just NCAA. Maybe it will trickle down eventually, but there aren't any changes in the works at this date.

I seriously doubt it will trickle down anytime soon, after all 43' hasn't trickled down as quickly as we all had hoped.