ZOOX

Right handed batter square to bunt. F1 delivers an inside pitch and the batter attempts to pull back his bat (pitch is NOT in the strike zone). The pitch strikes the batter's right hand and the bat simultaneously, causing the ball to ricochet to the backstop. Plate umpire declares "foul". Offensive coach comes out to challenge call. Plate umpire consults with his partner who adds that the batter was pulling back and did not attempt to bunt the pitch. Batter ultimately awarded first for the HBP. Correct call? What is the FED ruling reference?? Does it matter that the batter wasn't attempting to bunt the pitch? Can't find the rule or a corresponding case play. Thanks in advance.

Runner need not be attempting to advance to be awarded a base (in this case, R3 being awarded home). Base award is a PEN, which is being enforced, like a balk. Would that same coach/ump question you if you awarded R3 and R2 one base if F1 had balked, even when they weren't attempting to advance?

In this sitch, ball 4, award first, easy call with 3 ball count. Otherwise with less than 3 balls, still a ball as he didn't make an attempt to avoid the pitch (from what I can gather from my own experience).

Any one know the official ruling/explanation of the LAA/SEA play on 4-22-16? R1 advances to 2nd on pitch, which after a replay, shows the pitch touching the batters bat, then the bat touches the cathcer's glove and ball ricochets to the back stop. R1 returns back to first, the. LAA argues and then goes back to 2nd. SEA mgr ejected. Don't know what on-field ruling was made. Never went to replay (unsure if able to).