Ask UEFL - Yankees' Rizzo Denied HBP by Umpire Reyburn

[Velho]

Love the homer announcers.

 

 

[The Man in Blue]

That pitch was behind … who?!  

 

Great call and I agree it needs to be made more often.
 

 

[Lindsay]

Yankees manager Aaron Boone fruitlessly argued and Anthony Rizzo bemoaned umpires' lack of accountability after HP Umpire DJ Reyburn denied a hit-by-pitch in New York, despite the pitched ball contacting the batter's leg. But was this the correct call all along?

Official Baseball Rule 5.05(b)(2) governs the case of a pitched ball touching a batter: "The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided they advance to and touch first base) when: They are touched by a pitched ball which they are not attempting to hit unless (A) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter [in which event the pitch is deemed a dead ball strike], or (B) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball [in which event the pitch is adjudged as a dead ball {called ball} or strike depending on its location as it struck the batter]."

Replays suggest that New York batter Rizzo, during Rays pitcher Ryan Yarbrough's 3rd inning, 1-2 curveball, not only made no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball, but that Rizzo may have furthermore leaned his leg in toward home plate, in a potential attempt to increase the likelihood that he would be struck by the ball.

After the ball touched Rizzo, Umpire Reyburn immediately enforced OBR 5.05(b)(2) by calling "Time" to acknowledge the dead ball that occurs when any pitched ball touches a batter before declaring a dead ball [called ball] and ordering Rizzo to remain at-bat, ruling that Rizzo failed to satisfy the terms of the rule that would have afforded him free passage to first base.

By the by, in 2019, Reds batter Derek Dietrich was hit by a pitch located within the strike zone, but was improperly awarded first base. Most times, batters touched by the ball are awarded first base out of habit, but as OBR 5.05(b)(2) indicates, there are two definitive cases in which a batter should not be given a free base when a pitched ball contacts them.

Sidebar: It is legal for a batter to "crowd the plate," provided that the batter is legally positioned with both feet within the batter's box [including touching the box's lines], and a base awarded should be granted pursuant to OBR 5.05(b)(2) unless either exception A [ball in strike zone] or B [makes no attempt to avoid] applies.

On Monday night in New York, Reyburn ensured the rule's attempt-to-avoid provision was applied.

Video as follows:

Alternate Link: Rizzo touched by pitch, but ump Reyburn orders him to stay at home plate (NYY)

View the full article

[Thunderheads]

I've got him leaning into it for sure.  He does it smoothly, but still, he's leaning.  The pitch was actually inside the batters box line (towards the plate), ...how can he not be leaning into this?    Yankee frustration with their last 10-12 games is starting to show!

[Thunderheads]

@Lindsay ...I apologize ....I merged others talking about this issue with your post because it's typically, well, it's the best type of in depth detail on stuff like this, but when I did, it changed the author, but kept your title, and didn't put your initial post at the top.   I'm trying to fix it, sorry.

[blue32]

No question, great call!

[Catch18]

Dynamite call!! The overhead view is great, clearly see his leg go toward the plate.

[Mudisfun]

What do I think?

A) Never listen to the broadcasters, especially when they initially claim the pitch was 'behind him'. Unless that batter was standing backwards. a little inside is not behind anyone.

B) He 100% moved his leg into the path of the ball.

C) If he just stood still, more than likely his back thigh would have been hit, and in that scenario, more than likely he would have been awarded 1st.

D) Good call. 

E) Can't believe I am saying this, but good job by Boone coming out, keeping his head and saving his player. All too often the player is dumped and THEN the manager comes out to 'save his player', whatever that means after that have already been shown the door.

[maven]

"That pitch was almost behind him! ... Generally, that call is reserved for pitches closer to the plate, almost in the strike zone."

*Replay shows pitch is closer to the plate, almost in the strike zone*

"That's a judgment call."

[ArchAngel72]

Full speed I was like Huh he twitched but I did not see it 

 

slow mo..  yeah great call no doubt he leaned into it.

 

I am truly amazed PU saw that from behind him at full speed.  Very very good call

 

[Umpire in Chief]

 

3 hours ago, Mudisfun said:

What do I think?

A) Never listen to the broadcasters, especially when they initially claim the pitch was 'behind him'. Unless that batter was standing backwards. a little inside is not behind anyone.

B) He 100% moved his leg into the path of the ball.

C) If he just stood still, more than likely his back thigh would have been hit, and in that scenario, more than likely he would have been awarded 1st.

D) Good call. 

E) Can't believe I am saying this, but good job by Boone coming out, keeping his head and saving his player. All too often the player is dumped and THEN the manager comes out to 'save his player', whatever that means after that have already been shown the door.

This ^^^^ Especially A  🤣

[834k3r]

3 hours ago, Mudisfun said:

What do I think?

A) Never listen to the broadcasters, especially when they initially claim the pitch was 'behind him'. Unless that batter was standing backwards. a little inside is not behind anyone.

Some broadcast teams are better than others, but they're all far too quick to apoplectic when a call is against their team; to the detriment of fan education, IMHO.

[maven]

5 minutes ago, 834k3r said:

Some broadcast teams are better than others, but they're all far too quick to apoplectic when a call is against their team; to the detriment of fan education, IMHO.

Fan education is not a consideration. Nobody in TV/radio cares about that.

They care about "engagement," which is promoted by anger, hostility, and outrage.

Also true in politics, and for the same reason.

[Scissors]

Doesn't get called enough and the poor knowledge of this rule has trickled down into the lower levels. Called it in a varsity game this year when the batter stood absolutely still and let a fastball hit his elbow guard, explained to the slightly bewildered coach that the batter must make an effort to avoid being touched by the pitch. He said he taught all of his batters to stand still when the pitch is coming at them and it "never gets called". Maybe a partial failure on us too.

[Jimurray]

21 minutes ago, Scissors said:

Doesn't get called enough and the poor knowledge of this rule has trickled down into the lower levels. Called it in a varsity game this year when the batter stood absolutely still and let a fastball hit his elbow guard, explained to the slightly bewildered coach that the batter must make an effort to avoid being touched by the pitch. He said he taught all of his batters to stand still when the pitch is coming at them and it "never gets called". Maybe a partial failure on us too.

A conundrum. Spitballing, hit inside the box on a body part without armor, award 1B, with armor dead ball ball, outside the box, not a strike, dead ball ball, of course over the plate, dead ball strike.

[The Man in Blue]

8 hours ago, maven said:

Fan education is not a consideration. Nobody in TV/radio cares about that.

They care about "engagement," which is promoted by anger, hostility, and outrage.

Also true in politics, and for the same reason.

That is the dumbest piece of garbage I have ever seen in the history of the internet, you raging braindead nincompoop!

 

(I fully agree with what you said, but I need people to like and subscribe as well as support my advertisers.  Smash that button, guys!)

[Umpire in Chief]

I do think fan education would ultimately be appreciated. 

They do it in football, which IMO, has much more complex rules. For big games they have a former official in the booth, or who can remote in and explain what's going on. I have to think it has some worth/merit as they continue to do it. I know I appreciate it. They're already heading in that direction with explaining calls. 

ESPN, MLB Network I'm available  ...

I did once speak to one MLB umpire and asked the question, in not so many words, he told me nobody is going to want to be the umpire in the booth who has to explain when another umpire missed a call or otherwise potentially make someone else look bad. 

[The Man in Blue]

I would much rather be the guy in the booth explaining it than the guy in the booth creating havoc with no explanation.

There are simple and easy explanations, as long as we are willing to be honest with ourselves.

Just me, I guess.

[Velho]

1 hour ago, Umpire in Chief said:

I did once speak to one MLB umpire and asked the question, in not so many words, he told me nobody is going to want to be the umpire in the booth who has to explain when another umpire missed a call or otherwise potentially make someone else look bad. 

Interesting and I believe it. Begs the question though: why are former NBA and NFL officials ok with it?

[beerguy55]

I've seen many other MLB umpires let HBP stand on much more egregious actions (and inaction) by the batter.

It doesn't make this call "wrong", but it certainly shows a significant inconsistency...I hope this call is a bellwether for a better direction. 

[Velho]

On 8/19/2022 at 9:36 AM, beerguy55 said:

I've seen many other MLB umpires let HBP stand on much more egregious actions (and inaction) by the batter.

Like this one from Friday?

 

[Jimurray]

1 hour ago, Velho said:

Like this one from Friday?

 

Wolf, as Nelson and a few others, can do no wrong. I'll be surprised if this gains any traction. But he's got stones, squeezed inside, he goes outside in the danger zone but that's let's him miss the "not HBP".

[Velho]

2 hours ago, Jimurray said:

But he's got stones, squeezed inside, he goes outside in the danger zone but that's let's him miss the "not HBP".

Great point!

[beerguy55]

On 9/4/2022 at 6:02 PM, Jimurray said:

Wolf, as Nelson and a few others, can do no wrong. I'll be surprised if this gains any traction. But he's got stones, squeezed inside, he goes outside in the danger zone but that's let's him miss the "not HBP".

I'm not sure his positioning explains the missed strike though.

Umps in the slot often call low outside pitches three-four inches off the plate a strike.   I'd think an ump in the danger zone would see the inside pitch as a strike the same way - and this one WAS a strike.