Hit by Pitch or Strike Three?

[Pops]

FED has that rule about calling an automatic strike on the batter if he steps out of the box with one foot during a pitch. With an 0-2 count, the pitcher hits the batter (accidentally). Does this rule still apply or is it a hit by pitch? The batter insisted that the pitcher was going to pitch way inside, but we had no indication that he was trying to hit him.

[UmpJM]

Pops,

There is no FED rule prohibiting a batter from stepping one foot out of the box during a pitch.

There is a rule prohibiting from from leaving the box with BOTH feet AND delaying the game - unless he is, among other things, "...forced out of the box by the pitch...".

If the batter moves from the box in an attempt to avoid being hit, it's nothin'.

JM

[carolinablue]

If the pitcher has begun his delivery and the batter steps out with one foot and the ball is delivered a strike shall be added to his count. If he steps out with two feet and the pitch is delivered, two strikes shall be added, if I am interpreting 6-2-4d correctly. I'm not sure about the HBP on this play but right now I'm leaning towards ignoring it because of the batter's violation. If he steps out after the pitcher has delivered, I have a HBP more than likely unless he does it to intentionally get hit.

[mstaylor]

If he steps back a strike is to be called , no matter the location, except for a certain list. That includes being pushed back by the pitch. A second strike is to be called if you believe he is delaying the game. Now if he backs out and it hits him he is probably going to first. If he stepped back with one foot and gets hit in the box, I would send him. If he stepped all the way out and gets hit then I would be less inclined because he would never have gotten hit except for backing up. The thing you have to decide in that case was the pitcher intentionally throwing behind him.

[noumpere]

FED has that rule about calling an automatic strike on the batter if he steps out of the box with one foot during a pitch. With an 0-2 count, the pitcher hits the batter (accidentally). Does this rule still apply or is it a hit by pitch? The batter insisted that the pitcher was going to pitch way inside, but we had no indication that he was trying to hit him.

I think the obvious answer is to call him out and award him first at the same time. lol.

[Pops]

Pops,

There is no FED rule prohibiting a batter from stepping one foot out of the box during a pitch.

There is a rule prohibiting from from leaving the box with BOTH feet AND delaying the game - unless he is, among other things, "...forced out of the box by the pitch...".

If the batter moves from the box in an attempt to avoid being hit, it's nothin'.

JM

The way I read rule 6-2-4-d-1, there is a provision for calling an automatic strike if the batter steps out with one foot and the pitcher legally delivers the ball. This seems to be a different rule than delaying the game by stepping out.

Maybe I wasn't clear in my original post, but the batter was stepping out as the pitcher was delivering the ball, not as the ball was on its way toward the batter.

[mstaylor]

If he steps out and creates a balk, ignore it and start over. If the pitcher delivers, call a strike. If he gets hit, you have to decide if he backed out on his own, backed out because the pitcher was throwing at him or he is just clueless. If you think the pitcher was throwing at him, give him first.