is it a hit by pitch or ball if the ball hits the ground on the pitch then hits the batter
by Gary Nordick
(Minnesota)
Photo Bill Stanton: Checkswing.com
Gary asked: Pitch hits ground then batter is it a ball or hit by pitch?
Rick answered: Gary, thank you for your question.
The rule covering this situation is 2.0: A ball is a pitch which does not enter the strike zone in flight and is not struck at by the batter.
2.0 (Ball) Comment: If the pitch touches the ground and bounces through the strike zone, it is a "ball". If such a pitch touches the batter, the ball becomes dead and he shall be awarded first base.
It is recorded as a hit by pitch.
Yours in baseball,
Rick
|