HIT BY PITCH
QUESTION: In high school, baseball and softball, batter has arms extended over strike zone and pitch contacts batter’s arm within zone. Is batter awarded first base? Is this a called strike or ball?
ANSWER: Dead ball; batter is NOT awarded first base. Despite being hit by pitch, umpire will declare this pitch a strike as pitch was in the zone. If it was the third strike, batter would be called out. (BB- Rule 7, Sec. 2, Art. 1; Rule 7-3-4; Rule 8-1-1, d) (SB- Rule 7, Sec. 2, Art. 1,g) Umpire is correct in calling location of pitch; batter’s arms belong within lines of batter’s box.
QUESTION: Bases are loaded; two outs; score is tied 3-3 in home half of seventh inning (possible final inning); full count on batter. Batter swings and misses pitch which hits batter on arm and pitch goes to backstop. Pitch is not caught in flight by catcher. Is this a dropped third strike play for defense? Can batter-runner advance to first on dropped third strike? Is batter awarded first for being hit by pitch; hence, all runners advance as winning run scores? Is this a dead ball strike three play with batter being declared out for third out and game continues into extra innings?
ANSWER: Strike three on swing; dead ball on being hit by pitch; batter is NOT awarded first; hence game goes into extra innings. Swing takes precedence as it occurred prior to being hit by pitch. (BB-Rule 5-1-1, a; Rule 8-1-1,d; SB- Rule 5-1-1,a (note); Rule 8-1-2, b and c (Effect / Penalty).
