Strike or Not

[Umpire in Chief]

Scrimmage game I had a situation...

Batter squares to bunt before the pitcher starts his delivery.

The pitch was a slow breaking ball.

The batter dipped the barrel tracking the ball - based on that alone no doubt an attempt at the ball.

However the batter after realizing it was a dirt ball pulled the bat back well before it was in the proximity of the plate.

I balled the pitch.

My evaluator said I should have called it a strike based on hit initial attempt. In my judgement while he made an initial attempt, I thought he pulled it back in time.

[txump81]

Scrimmage game I had a situation...

Batter squares to punt before the pitcher starts his delivery.

The pitch was a slow breaking ball.

The batter dipped the barrel tracking the ball - based on that alone no doubt an attempt at the ball.

However the batter after realizing it was a dirt ball pulled the bat back well before it was in the proximity of the plate.

I balled the pitch.

My evaluator said I should have called it a strike based on hit initial attempt. In my judgement while he made an initial attempt, I thought he pulled it back in time.

I think you called it correctly.

[amarillo]

I agree ball. On this subject another fans and coaches confusion point is they think leaving the bat out means an attempt.

[yawetag]

Batter squares to punt before the pitcher starts his delivery.

Squared to punt? I've got offsides, 5 yard penalty, and repeating the down.

[Umpire in Chief]

Fixing thanks.

[BigZigBlue]

I had a game in which the league director was coaching a team lets say team A and another guy was coaching team B. Team A is in the field with a hard throwing lefty but has some control issues. Team B's coaches tells his players to square every pitch. This plans works as the fact that team A's pitchers is throwing to the back stop or dirt every pitch...Well Mr. Director goes hay wire on me saying that its a strike no matter where it is at...I said "No sir your are wrong the batter must make an "attempt", which in my judgment is not an attempt." He ended up getting tossed and he "banned" me from calling any of games they had left, which were like a couple. It didn't hurt my feelings none because he was an ______!! Anyway you must have an attempt in order to have a strike!! Good CALL!!!!

[NovaScotiaBlue]

Scrimmage game I had a situation...

Batter squares to bunt before the pitcher starts his delivery.

The pitch was a slow breaking ball.

The batter dipped the barrel tracking the ball - based on that alone no doubt an attempt at the ball.

However the batter after realizing it was a dirt ball pulled the bat back well before it was in the proximity of the plate.

I balled the pitch.

My evaluator said I should have called it a strike based on hit initial attempt. In my judgement while he made an initial attempt, I thought he pulled it back in time.

I'm assuming the defence also thought he held back as you make no mention of them appealing whether he went or not.

Sounds like another example of a supervisor with an opinion that may or may not differ from others on the same call (including you).

[Rich Ives]

Scrimmage game I had a situation...

Batter squares to bunt before the pitcher starts his delivery.

The pitch was a slow breaking ball.

The batter dipped the barrel tracking the ball - based on that alone no doubt an attempt at the ball.

However the batter after realizing it was a dirt ball pulled the bat back well before it was in the proximity of the plate.

I balled the pitch.

My evaluator said I should have called it a strike based on hit initial attempt. In my judgement while he made an initial attempt, I thought he pulled it back in time.

Gee - just like a checked swing. Think of it like that.

[Stan W.]

However the batter after realizing it was a dirt ball pulled the bat back well before it was in the proximity of the plate.

I balled the pitch.

and I would agree.......seems to me that it cant be an offer if the ball isnt within hitting distance.....and its stated that pulling the bat back was well before the ball was in the proximity of the plate.....

ball.....

[1dumbquestion]

Scrimmage game I had a situation...

Batter squares to bunt before the pitcher starts his delivery.

The pitch was a slow breaking ball.

The batter dipped the barrel tracking the ball - based on that alone no doubt an attempt at the ball.

However the batter after realizing it was a dirt ball pulled the bat back well before it was in the proximity of the plate.

I balled the pitch.

My evaluator said I should have called it a strike based on hit initial attempt. In my judgement while he made an initial attempt, I thought he pulled it back in time.

well there you have it. 1... that being said, personally if I have an attempt as you say you did then I've usually got a strike even if its pulled back afterward. to me an attempt is an attempt whether a bunt or swing. but it was YOUR judgement and you shouldn't be getting dinged for it. 1

[Dragon29]

Warren,

From your description it certainly sounds as if you were comfortable with your judgment of the pitch so I voted, "No." Of course, if I had been behind the plate, I might have called it differently, but what I would do has nothing to do with what you would do. As others have pointed out, you exercised judgment and made a call - that's your job.

While I value the opinion of the several evaluators who work in the associations I am involved with, when they're wrong - they're wrong. Any good evaluator will also tell you that, from where the evaluator is sitting, you can't see or track the pitches as well as the plate umpire can. I'm surprised your evaluator didn't make the same point.

[mstaylor]

As Dragon pointed out, we each have to decide on the spot but from the sound of it you are correct. You are definitely correct for the reason the supervisor is giving you.

For the coaches that want it just for holding it there, tell them to go watch the game with the big optic yellow ball and the girls playing, then he would be correct.

[Dragon29]

For the coaches that want it just for holding it there, tell them to go watch the game with the big optic yellow ball and the girls playing, then he would be correct.

Mike,

I heard the other day that Fed has added this interp this year.

HS guys - True?

[mstaylor]

I will have to check to see if they added something but it is definitely not an offer.

[Rich Ives]

For the coaches that want it just for holding it there, tell them to go watch the game with the big optic yellow ball and the girls playing, then he would be correct.

Mike,

I heard the other day that Fed has added this interp this year.

HS guys - True?

True.

[mstaylor]

Holding the bat still on a bunt is not a strike. 7.2.1 sit B

[dumbdumb]

Holding the bat still on a bunt is not a strike. 7.2.1 sit B

OP said he was tracking the ball with the bat which to me means movement (not still). That is different than just holding the bat pretty much horizontally perfectly still and not moving vertically at all or tracking the ball up and down. Is it OK with the bat held out horizontally to track and move the bat vertically up and down slowly or quickly even though you keep it perfectly horizontal or wiggle it around with those cutesy bush league games they play with the bat or should the bat stay perfectly still just like the rule asks for and the player should get credit for when he holds the bat "still". Still means still? Thanks.

[Rich Ives]

Holding the bat still on a bunt is not a strike. 7.2.1 sit B

OP said he was tracking the ball with the bat which to me means movement (not still). That is different than just holding the bat pretty much horizontally perfectly still and not moving vertically at all or tracking the ball up and down. Is it OK with the bat held out horizontally to track and move the bat vertically up and down slowly or quickly even though you keep it perfectly horizontal or wiggle it around with those cutesy bush league games they play with the bat or should the bat stay perfectly still just like the rule asks for and the player should get credit for when he holds the bat "still". Still means still? Thanks.

He pulled the bat back. No different than a batter starting a swing and checking it.

[Rich Ives]

Holding the bat still on a bunt is not a strike. 7.2.1 sit B

The question seemed to be about the game with the big optic yellow ball.

That's a baseball casebook cite number. Is the softball really the same cite number?

[mstaylor]

I'm sorry, missed that it is a softball question. In that case, yes it is a strike in Fed.

[noumpere]

based on that alone no doubt an attempt at the ball.

However the batter after realizing it was a dirt ball pulled the bat back well before it was in the proximity of the plate.

I balled the pitch.

My evaluator said I should have called it a strike based on hit initial attempt. In my judgement while he made an initial attempt, I thought he pulled it back in time.

You make two contradictory statements. If the first is true, then it's a strike -- you can't take back an attempt, and there's no more pulling it back in time.

If the second is true, then there wasn't an attempt.

Rewording it in your own mind will help you determine what the correct call should have been.

[JaxRolo]

based on that alone no doubt an attempt at the ball.

However the batter after realizing it was a dirt ball pulled the bat back well before it was in the proximity of the plate.

I balled the pitch.

My evaluator said I should have called it a strike based on hit initial attempt. In my judgement while he made an initial attempt, I thought he pulled it back in time.

You make two contradictory statements. If the first is true, then it's a strike -- you can't take back an attempt, and there's no more pulling it back in time.

If the second is true, then there wasn't an attempt.

Rewording it in your own mind will help you determine what the correct call should have been.

You make a good point. Is there a difference between swinging to early and swinging late?

[softballump0421]

hello everyone....just wanted to chime in on this thread about the strike call.............it now is considered a strike if the batter holds the bat out and keeps it out there in softball..........she has to make an attempt at bringing the bat back for it not to be a strike.

[Rich Ives]

hello everyone....just wanted to chime in on this thread about the strike call.............it now is considered a strike if the batter holds the bat out and keeps it out there in softball..........she has to make an attempt at bringing the bat back for it not to be a strike.

We already covered that - check the recent posts

[noumpere]

based on that alone no doubt an attempt at the ball.

However the batter after realizing it was a dirt ball pulled the bat back well before it was in the proximity of the plate.

I balled the pitch.

My evaluator said I should have called it a strike based on hit initial attempt. In my judgement while he made an initial attempt, I thought he pulled it back in time.

You make two contradictory statements. If the first is true, then it's a strike -- you can't take back an attempt, and there's no more pulling it back in time.

If the second is true, then there wasn't an attempt.

Rewording it in your own mind will help you determine what the correct call should have been.

You make a good point. Is there a difference between swinging to early and swinging late?

Its entirely the umpires judgement as to whether the batter is attempting to hit the ball. Theres no too early or too late in the book nor should there be in the umpires decision. If its late and not an attempt, it might be interference.