Michael Leavitt

Minnz: You are oh so right about the preventive measures being the best course of action. I did tell the catcher, “The batter doesn’t have to move on a throw catcher†before the next pitch, but then I went into the mode of, “Please don’t let this scenario happen. Please don’t let this scenario happen. Please...†And all the time I was sure I did NOT know exactly what the rule books had to say on the topic. I am one that prefers to play out the scenarios in my head before they occur on the field and this allows me the ability to draw upon what I pre-learn as the bizarre scenarios actually take place in the youth leagues of Northern Utah. Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah

Good thoughts! I think this comes from the misconception that the batter has to somehow get out of the way on a throw down to third. I can easily fall back upon the rules of safety and sportsmanship, per your recommendations. I don’t think the father was trying to get the batter hurt. I think he was trying to get the catcher to somehow either run into or hit the batter to try to draw the call. The actual reference to pain and anguish was my thinking the situation through to the extreme. In the lesser situation, barring injury, could I justify some sort of catcher interference and award the runner on third home? Thanks again for helping me think the scenario through. Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah

In a 12 year olds game last night the catcher was being advised by his father and coach to receive the pitch and throw through the batter to pick off the runner leading off at third base, insuring him that he would get the batter’s interference call (I was the PU and overheard the father‘s instructions). I know this was poor advice because the batter is okay as long as he does not leave the box and/or hinder the catcher with his movements. That is not the question. I got to thinking about the scenario and thought of the catcher coming up and drilling the batter right in the face with the throw. Are there any penalties that I could impose upon the catcher, especially if the batter is injured by the throw? This ploy could cause serious injury and the ball would still be live with a batter laying in bloody pain on the ground. I checked out MLB 6.06, 7.08, and 7.09. I even went on to 6.08©, 7.04 and 7.07 for the catcher’s interference, but none of these discussed the outcome of what could have happened. I have also thought about maybe some sort of unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, yet I am left to wonder what I would/should/could rule in that situation. Would I kill the play immediately? Could I impose a penalty? Could I award bases? Or would I just call an ambulance and send the catcher’s coach and team packing? Any advice or thoughts are welcomed. We use MLB and PONY rules. Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah

Thanks for all the great feedback... I struggled with this all day and then the lights turned on and I figured it out. Then I returned here and you all confirmed what my aging brain finally figured out. The correct ruling is that the play should have immediately been called dead and the batter should have received a strike and able to continue his at-bat. If there had been two strikes before the pitch, then the play would have been called dead and the batter would be out after receiving his third strike. NOTE: It is amazing how I can read the rules so closely that I lose track of the big picture. Make it a great day! Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah - www.TheHomeInspector.com - Michael Leavitt & Co Inspections, Inc.

I need help with a ruling. We play by MLB and PONY rules and not Little League rules... SCENARIO: With a 1-1 count the batter swung at a pitch in the strike zone. The ball hit him in the hands and popped up to third base. The ball was caught in fair territory and the umpire called the batter out. QUESTION: How do you call a ball hit into fair territory off the batters hands while he is clutching the bat and making a normal swing in the strike zone? Is the ball considered live, or is it immediately called dead? Maybe I am straining at a gnat, but I do not see any directives in the rules on what to do with a fair hit ball off the batter’s hands. RULES: I am aware of the following MLB rules... 5.09 The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out when -- (a) A pitched ball touches a batter, or his clothing, while in his legal batting position; runners, if forced to advance, advance. The batter was in his legal position. 6.05 A batter is out when-- (f) He attempts to hit a third strike, and the ball touches him; 6.08 The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when-- (b) he is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball; If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makes no attempt to avoid being touched. APPROVED RULING: When the batter is touched by a pitched ball which does not entitle him to first base, the ball is dead and no runner may advance. A STRIKE is a legal pitch when so called by the umpire, which-- (a) Is struck at by the batter and missed; (b) Is not struck at, if any part of the ball passes through any part of the strike zone; © Is fouled by the batter when he has less than two strikes; (d) Is bunted foul; (e) Touches the batter as he strikes at it; (f) Touches the batter in flight in the strike zone; or (g) becomes a foul tip. MYTH: The hands are part of the bat. I understand that the hands are part of the body. WHY I AM CONFUSED: I understand what happens when there is no hit, but I cannot find anything regarding a fair ball hit off the hands. Is this a situation where the hands actually are considered part of the bat and the ball is live and playable? Can you clarify what the correct ruling is in this situation? If the ball is live, then where does it stop, at the hand, the wrist, the forearm, the elbow?... I know, I’m straining at a gnat again. Set me straight and give me the ruling so that I can feel confident about the call in the future. Thanks in advance! Michael Leavitt - Orem, Utah - www.ComeOnBlue.com