HBP mechanics

[Mike Prince]

 

 

 

 

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

Call time before you point, then there is no question as to what you are pointing at, especially if following the mechanics described here. If you call time and come out from behind the plate the BU would have to be a bit daft to confuse that with a check swing appeal.

IMO makes perfect sense for this situation.

To stay relevant to the question asked, I follow pretty much the same process the other guys here do.

 

So what happens if you have a batter get hit by a pitch AND check swings?

Calling 'Time' does not signify an awarded base. In this situation, 'time' indicates that the batter was hit by a pitch. You still have the action (or nonaction) of the batter on the pitch (I.e. check swing, intentionally HBP, pitch in strike zone)

Edit: further thought added

 

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that there is also a verbal element to the mechanic for going to your partner on a check swing, not just a physical one.

Either way you are calling time on the pitch, it is either a HBP or a dead-ball strike.

Edit - Steve beat me to it. I am old and I type slow

 

You are correct in the verbal mechanic. These verbal mechanics are not mentioned directly by other umpires. I offer my advice as a way that has worked for me and many others around me without confusion.

Also, the pitch could be a HBP, a dead-ball 'strike', or a dead-ball 'ball'

 

Not on the situation you posted of a HBP and a check swing, there is no chance of a "ball" call.  If he didn't go he got HBP and he's going to 1B...

[blue23ll]

I had to think about this one, because it gets to be an automatic thing. Yesterday I had both an obvious HBP and non-obvious one. On the not obvious one I called time and pointed with my left hand. FWIW, I never point with my right hand unless I am awarding bases, calling a strike or putting the ball in play. Everything else gets a left handed point.

[ALStripes17]

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

Call time before you point, then there is no question as to what you are pointing at, especially if following the mechanics described here. If you call time and come out from behind the plate the BU would have to be a bit daft to confuse that with a check swing appeal.

IMO makes perfect sense for this situation.

To stay relevant to the question asked, I follow pretty much the same process the other guys here do.

So what happens if you have a batter get hit by a pitch AND check swings?

Calling 'Time' does not signify an awarded base. In this situation, 'time' indicates that the batter was hit by a pitch. You still have the action (or nonaction) of the batter on the pitch (I.e. check swing, intentionally HBP, pitch in strike zone)

Edit: further thought added

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that there is also a verbal element to the mechanic for going to your partner on a check swing, not just a physical one.

Either way you are calling time on the pitch, it is either a HBP or a dead-ball strike.

Edit - Steve beat me to it. I am old and I type slow

You are correct in the verbal mechanic. These verbal mechanics are not mentioned directly by other umpires. I offer my advice as a way that has worked for me and many others around me without confusion.

Also, the pitch could be a HBP, a dead-ball 'strike', or a dead-ball 'ball'

Not on the situation you posted of a HBP and a check swing, there is no chance of a "ball" call. If he didn't go he got HBP and he's going to 1B...

Possible: batter check swings, pitch ends up behind him, sticks foot out.

Not likely... but definitely not impossible

[Mike Prince]

 

 

 

 

 

 

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

Call time before you point, then there is no question as to what you are pointing at, especially if following the mechanics described here. If you call time and come out from behind the plate the BU would have to be a bit daft to confuse that with a check swing appeal.

IMO makes perfect sense for this situation.

To stay relevant to the question asked, I follow pretty much the same process the other guys here do.

 

So what happens if you have a batter get hit by a pitch AND check swings?

Calling 'Time' does not signify an awarded base. In this situation, 'time' indicates that the batter was hit by a pitch. You still have the action (or nonaction) of the batter on the pitch (I.e. check swing, intentionally HBP, pitch in strike zone)

Edit: further thought added

 

You seem to be conveniently forgetting that there is also a verbal element to the mechanic for going to your partner on a check swing, not just a physical one.

Either way you are calling time on the pitch, it is either a HBP or a dead-ball strike.

Edit - Steve beat me to it. I am old and I type slow

 

You are correct in the verbal mechanic. These verbal mechanics are not mentioned directly by other umpires. I offer my advice as a way that has worked for me and many others around me without confusion.

Also, the pitch could be a HBP, a dead-ball 'strike', or a dead-ball 'ball'

 

Not on the situation you posted of a HBP and a check swing, there is no chance of a "ball" call. If he didn't go he got HBP and he's going to 1B...

 

Possible: batter check swings, pitch ends up behind him, sticks foot out.

Not likely... but definitely not impossible

 

 

OK you win with stupid situations.  I won't derail this any further from the OP by thinking how a batter will check his swing with only one foot on the ground while trying to kick a pitch.  Give me a break...

[ALStripes17]

Weirder things have happened.

This thread has been very interesting. It's amazing to see and to imagine all of these different scenarios and mechanics.

[grayhawk]

I had to think about this one, because it gets to be an automatic thing. Yesterday I had both an obvious HBP and non-obvious one. On the not obvious one I called time and pointed with my left hand. FWIW, I never point with my right hand unless I am awarding bases, calling a strike or putting the ball in play. Everything else gets a left handed point.

 

Interesting.  By pointing the batter to first after a HBP, you ARE awarding a base.

[blue23ll]

However, you can't confuse awarding bases in most situations with calling a strike.

[ricka56]

 

I had to think about this one, because it gets to be an automatic thing. Yesterday I had both an obvious HBP and non-obvious one. On the not obvious one I called time and pointed with my left hand. FWIW, I never point with my right hand unless I am awarding bases, calling a strike or putting the ball in play. Everything else gets a left handed point.

 

Interesting.  By pointing the batter to first after a HBP, you ARE awarding a base.

 

yes, that the whole point of the point...the base award...that and I'm selling that I saw/heard/had a HBP.

[Platejob29]

I have always been told NEVER point to first.

 

 

Reason is the field umpire may believe you are asking about a check swing.

 

 

In this case it may not matter BUT that’s what I have been instructed to do.

If you're coming out from behind the plate a bit and taking your hand slapping the part of your body that the batter got hit there shouldn't be any confusion as to why you are pointing to first. I can see where it could get confused but not if you're selling that the batter got hit first before pointing. In every pro, college, and high school clinic or camp that I've been to that went over situations like in the OP they have said to point down to first after selling the HBP was the proper mechanic. 

[MB_Ump]

Excuse the question if you think it ahould be obvious, but when you come out from behind the plate are you going to be facing the pitcher, DHC, or the potentially charging batter?

[ricka56]

Excuse the question if you think it ahould be obvious, but when you come out from behind the plate are you going to be facing the pitcher, DHC, or the potentially charging batter?

I watch the batter first, then F1...coax B friendily to go to 1B, if needed..."knock it off" if any words are said. That's about the worst I've seen (knock on wood). I once had to get after a HS summerball DHC, who didn't realize that he was supposed to be the adult on the field.  

[GetItRight]

I go over a pregame with my partner that says:

If I come in front of the plate and point to first with my LEFT hand, then it's HBP (always a "Time" call)

If I stay behind the plate and point with my LEFT hand, then it's help on a check swing (possibly a "Time" call if it hits an offensive player)

Try not to action with the right hand unless you are getting an out or a strike.

LOL, that is way too complicated, and I have enough things to worry about in a game besides where you're stepping or what hand you're pointing with.

 

I wouldn't even pretend to agree to that in a pre-game.

[ALStripes17]

I go over a pregame with my partner that says:

If I come in front of the plate and point to first with my LEFT hand, then it's HBP (always a "Time" call)

If I stay behind the plate and point with my LEFT hand, then it's help on a check swing (possibly a "Time" call if it hits an offensive player)

Try not to action with the right hand unless you are getting an out or a strike.

LOL, that is way too complicated, and I have enough things to worry about in a game besides where you're stepping or what hand you're pointing with.

I wouldn't even pretend to agree to that in a pre-game.

The only difference between the 2 scenarios is where I am when I point. If you can't distinguish between those two, then any baseball rule book would be too much for you.

[grayhawk]

I don't pregame either of those.  If my partner doesn't know what I am doing when I go to him on a half swing, then I need a new partner.

[Mark Pepper]

I go over a pregame with my partner that says:

If I come in front of the plate and point to first with my LEFT hand, then it's HBP (always a "Time" call)

If I stay behind the plate and point with my LEFT hand, then it's help on a check swing (possibly a "Time" call if it hits an offensive player)

Try not to action with the right hand unless you are getting an out or a strike.

I tried this, but the opposing umpires were picking off my signs, so I had to keep changing them...

[Mark Pepper]

I don't pregame either of those.  If my partner doesn't know what I am doing when I go to him on a half swing, then I need a new partner.

Thank you!  As BU, I can't ever remember being even remotely confused if my partner was asking on a check swing or signaling to 1B on HBP.  But if I was, I'd hold my call on the check swing until I was sure.