Random Baseball Musings

[G. Keenan]

Thanks guys. I was imagining a scenario with the game on the line where a batter lets himself get hit to win the game. I was like, how has nobody though of this before? Now I know, lol.

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Is it against the rules for a batter to lean into a pitch? Or does it matter if it's in the strike zone or not?

Say it's bottom of the 9th bases loaded. Can the home team batter just lean out into the strike zone to get hit on purpose to win with a walk off HBP?

They are supposed to make an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch. If they fail to do so or they lean in to the strike zone the umpire can call it a strike. But it is up to the umpires and that has rarely been enforced.

If they are hit while the body is in the strike zone, it is a strike. Yes, the 'make an attempt to avoid' is often overlooked. I have done it many times in youth games because of the safety factor there.

But I haven't seen the selective calling of a batter being hit in the strike zone. That, in my experience, is always a strike.

Yes you're right. That's what I meant, you don't see hitters do that egregiously too often. I'll just leave the answering of questions to the professionals from now on.

Thank you for reminding me again where my place is. I keep forgetting the moderators would rather I didn't try to engage in conversation. Usually, it's just ignore. But I appreciate you letting me go because I forget so easily.
I'll try again to keep my baloney to myself.

Please, carry on. Thank you.

[st.lewis11]

Yes, batter must attempt to avoid a HBP. I remember reading about a great example of this, when Don Drysdale was on the verge of approaching a record scoreless inning streak in 1968. A batter for the Giants, Dick Dietz was HBP with the bases loaded, supposedly ending Drysdale's streak. But then a controversial call by home plate ump ruled Dietz failed to attempt to avoid the HBP. Drysdale was able to extend his streak.

https://www.cooperstownexpert.com/2022/ ... ikely-way/

Controversy abounds against San Francisco
To break Hubbell’s mark, Drysdale had to vanquish the first-place Giants with a lineup that included Willie Mays and Willie McCovey. He did his part. The Los Angeles offense also did theirs, scoring single runs in the 2nd, 3rd, and 8th innings.

In the final frame the Dodger pitcher immediately ran into trouble. After walking McCovey, Drysdale gave up a single to Jim Ray Hart. Dave Marshall walked to load the bases with nobody out. San Francisco catcher Dick Deitz came to the plate hoping to put the Giants on the board and end the streak.

On a 2-ball, 2-strike pitch, Drysdale hit Deitz. It appeared the streak was over. Then fate intervened. Home plate umpire Harry Wendelstedt ruled that Deitz did not attempt to avoid getting stuck by the pitch. The ump called the pitch a ball and ordered Deitz back in the box.

The Giants howled in protest to no avail.

On the next pitch Deitz lifted a fly ball to shallow left that was caught by Jim Fairy for the first out. Drysdale retired the next two hitters to complete his fifth straight shutout and tie Doc White’s record.

[CardsofSTL]

Is it against the rules for a batter to lean into a pitch? Or does it matter if it's in the strike zone or not?

Say it's bottom of the 9th bases loaded. Can the home team batter just lean out into the strike zone to get hit on purpose to win with a walk off HBP?

They are supposed to make an attempt to get out of the way of the pitch. If they fail to do so or they lean in to the strike zone the umpire can call it a strike. But it is up to the umpires and that has rarely been enforced.

If they are hit while the body is in the strike zone, it is a strike. Yes, the 'make an attempt to avoid' is often overlooked. I have done it many times in youth games because of the safety factor there.

But I haven't seen the selective calling of a batter being hit in the strike zone. That, in my experience, is always a strike.

Yes you're right. That's what I meant, you don't see hitters do that egregiously too often. I'll just leave the answering of questions to the professionals from now on.

Thank you for reminding me again where my place is. I keep forgetting the moderators would rather I didn't try to engage in conversation. Usually, it's just ignore. But I appreciate you letting me go because I forget so easily.
I'll try again to keep my baloney to myself.

Please, carry on. Thank you.

I just meant that you explained it much more succinctly than I did and that is a testament to your umpiring experience. It was a compliment Joey Baloney.

[CardsofSTL]

[TGantz]

I would say safe. Being on the bag should protect you from any kind of interference (unless you swat it out of the air or something). I can't imagine someone is expected to leave a base (with no force out) to stay in compliance.

[CardsofSTL]

I would say safe. Being on the bag should protect you from any kind of interference (unless you swat it out of the air or something). I can't imagine someone is expected to leave a base (with no force out) to stay in compliance.

I think the rule takes into account the positioning of the defense but not whether or not the runner is on base. It is interference if it hits a runner when a fielder could have made the play; but if the defense was in front of the runner it is a different call.

[Popeye_Card]

Ohtani is on the verge of going 40-40 before the end of August, with an outside chance of reaching 50-50, in a season coming off TJS.

That's nuts. I wouldn't have bet on that.

(Also crazy that no members of the 40-40 club are also in the HoF - Acuna obviously still has a chance, but needs to stay healthy.)

[InvincibleCakeEater]

Votto officially retired. Great player and greater person. Slam dunk HOF player to me.

[CardsofSTL]

Votto officially retired. Great player and greater person. Slam dunk HOF player to me.

Kind of weird they didn't activate him for the Reds series just for kicks.