Batter Steps on Plate

[Mike Pesson]

Left hand pitcher vers Left hand batter. Pitcher throws a big curve. Batter feels the ball will hit him. Batter moves and steps on the plate to avoid. Batter gets hit by ball while standing on plate. Rule Please. 

[Stk004]

3 minutes ago, Mike Pesson said:

Batter stepping on plate blocking umpire view when ball hits batter. Rule.  

It doesn't matter that he's on the plate, if that's what you're looking for. If the umpire felt he tried to avoid the ball and it wasn't on the strike zone, HBP. If he intentionally moved into it and it wasn't in the strike zone, ball. If it was in the strike zone, strike. Dead ball in all 3 situations. 

[johnnyg08]

Where was the pitch when it hit him? It's a dead ball strike or a dead ball ball.  

[Mike Pesson]

Batter stepping on plate blocking umpire view when ball hits batter. Rule.  

[johnnyg08]

10 hours ago, Mike Pesson said:

Batter stepping on plate blocking umpire view when ball hits batter. Rule.  

Dead ball ball or dead ball strike.  I think you're looking for an out and the only out that could occur here would be if the batter was hit by a pitched ball that was in the strike zone on strike three. Home plate is only relevant here as a guide to determine a strike.  

That's it.

[noumpere]

5 minutes ago, johnnyg08 said:

Dead ball ball or dead ball strike.  I think you're looking for an out and the only out that could occur here would be if the batter was hit by a pitched ball that was in the strike zone on strike three. Home plate is only relevant here as a guide to determine a strike.  

That's it.

And the pitch was strike 3.  Just to head off the next question -- no, the batter cannot try for first under the "dropped third strike" rule.

[johnnyg08]

2 minutes ago, noumpere said:

And the pitch was strike 3.  Just to head off the next question -- no, the batter cannot try for first under the "dropped third strike" rule.

Yes.  Will edit for clarity.  Nor can any runner advance.

[Guest Mike Pesson]

Good observation on third strike rule. Question: If the behind plate official was obscured by the batter standing on home plate (on strike / ball call), can the field official be called into question on the play?

[Rich Ives]

2 minutes ago, Guest Mike Pesson said:

Good observation on third strike rule. Question: If the behind plate official was obscured by the batter standing on home plate (on strike / ball call), can the field official be called into question on the play?

No

[noumpere]

1 hour ago, Guest Mike Pesson said:

Good observation on third strike rule. Question: If the behind plate official was obscured by the batter standing on home plate (on strike / ball call), can the field official be called into question on the play?

If I'm blocked out because the batter moves onto the plate and is hit by the pitch, I'm pretty certain that the pitch was in the zone.

[stevis]

9 minutes ago, noumpere said:

If the batter moves onto the plate and is hit by the pitch, I'm pretty certain that the pitch was in the zone.

Not if it hit him on the ankle.

But your general point is taken--I'm imagining it likely would be in the zone. Call the zone the best you can in the circumstances and allow no argument about it.

[ALStripes17]

Not if it hit him on the ankle.
But your general point is taken--I'm imagining it likely would be in the zone. Call the zone the best you can in the circumstances and allow no argument about it.

And if it had a chance at being a strike, we definitely aren't going to penalize the pitcher in that situation. The lean is towards 'strike' if there is any doubt on the pitch call with a batter that does that.

[noumpere]

27 minutes ago, stevis said:

Not if it hit him on the ankle.

But your general point is taken--I'm imagining it likely would be in the zone. Call the zone the best you can in the circumstances and allow no argument about it.

See my edit.  I was assuming I was blocked out so I wouldn't know the pitch hit the batter on the ankle. Also, it wasn't meant to be taken quite literally.

[Rich Ives]

59 minutes ago, noumpere said:

If I'm blocked out because the batter moves onto the plate and is hit by the pitch, I'm pretty certain that the pitch was in the zone.

Even if it bounced or hit him in the head or shoulder?

[beerguy55]

Just curious - how often do you umpires see dead ball strike three?

I think I've seen it once in 35 years of playing and coaching.  

[noumpere]

1 minute ago, beerguy55 said:

Just curious - how often do you umpires see dead ball strike three?

I think I've seen it once in 35 years of playing and coaching.  

More often than a popup to first that would be an infield fly *and* does not let the batter have an opportunity to reach first.

[noumpere]

8 minutes ago, Rich Ives said:

Even if it bounced or hit him in the head or shoulder?

especially then.

[kylehutson]

15 minutes ago, beerguy55 said:

Just curious - how often do you umpires see dead ball strike three?

I think I've seen it once in 35 years of playing and coaching.  

In the last 4 years since I've moved up beyond rec ball, I've seen it once - at a college club-level game, where the batter swung at an inside pitch and it hit his hands.

[maineump]

3 hours ago, beerguy55 said:

Just curious - how often do you umpires see dead ball strike three?

I think I've seen it once in 35 years of playing and coaching.  

It happens when the batter swings and it hits him on strike 3. I see it a few times a year - usually in HS.

[beerguy55]

6 minutes ago, maineump said:

It happens when the batter swings and it hits him on strike 3. I see it a few times a year - usually in HS.

Wow...didn't think that would be so common.

Thought it would be more common for a batter to be hit by a pitch while in the strike zone.

 

[Guest Nick]

Giancarlo Stanton hit by pitch in the head called a strike. 

http://www.fishstripes.com/2014/9/12/6138801/mlb-rules-giancarlo-stanton-hit-by-pitch-reed-johnson-strikeout-miami-marlins-brewers-checked-swing

[BT_Blue]

15 hours ago, Guest Nick said:

Giancarlo Stanton hit by pitch in the head called a strike. 

http://www.fishstripes.com/2014/9/12/6138801/mlb-rules-giancarlo-stanton-hit-by-pitch-reed-johnson-strikeout-miami-marlins-brewers-checked-swing

Didn't watch the whole thing (honestly... who would want to!) But they probably ruled it as an attempted swing... which blows.

[udbrky]

On 2/22/2017 at 3:10 PM, beerguy55 said:

Wow...didn't think that would be so common.

Thought it would be more common for a batter to be hit by a pitch while in the strike zone.

 

Rizzo did it like 5x a year 2-3 years ago.

[BT_Blue]

11 hours ago, udbrky said:

Rizzo did it like 5x a year 2-3 years ago.

Mainly because he sits right on top of the plate and still likes, and can hit, that inside pitch.

[udbrky]

Yes, but he no longer swings at (and misses) the strike 3's that hit him.

 

He opened his stance more now. I wish he'd wear more padding on that front side.