Still Americas Pastime

This past postseason saw a lot of batters getting hit by the pitch (referred to in baseball stats as HBP).  Some of these were intentional and some of these were not.  Also, some of these situations where handled well by the umpiring crew and some were handled very poorly. 

Perhaps the most famous incident this postseason occurred during the National League Championship Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Philadelphia Phillies.  In Game 3, after having some teammates knocked down, or even had a pitch thrown behind them, Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda threw a pitch over Phillies centerfielder Shane Victorino’s head.  A very upset Victorino repeatedly pointed to his head and then to his ribs before getting back in the batter’s box.  When he grounded out during that at-bat, Kuroda was running over to cover first and the two had some more words.  The benches cleared but as happens so often in baseball, the ensuing fight was more like a middle school dance, a whole lot of movement and noise, but no touching. 

This is the incident that I felt was handled very well by the umpiring crew.  The home plate umpire issued a warning to both teams after the benches cleared.  Later in the game, the Dodgers’ catcher Russell Martin has hit by a first-pitch curveball by Chad Durbin.  Recognizing that the pitch wasn’t intentionally aimed at Martin, Durbin was allowed to stay in the game.  The Dodgers didn’t argue with the decision and after the game, Martin said he didn’t think it was intentional.  Usually if you’re trying to hit someone, you do it with a fastball.  I think this was a great example umpires making the right call. 

However, there are a number of times that the umpires just screw it up.  Sure, umps might be a favorite target for angry fans, but when they mess up, they should know about it, especially when they don’t know/follow the rules.  Here’s what the official Major League Rulebook says about being hit by the pitch. 

6.08(b): The batter becomes a runner and is entitled to first base without liability to be put out (provided he advances to and touches first base) when — He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball; If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a ball if he makes no attempt to avoid being touched.
APPROVED RULING: When the batter is touched by a pitched ball which does not entitle him to first base, the ball is dead and no runner may advance. 

The part to key in on is exception 2.  If the batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball, he is not awarded first.  In all my years of playing and watching baseball, I’m pretty sure I’ve only watched an umpire rule the batter that the batter didn’t try to avoid the ball ONCE. 

This postseason, during the American League Championship Series, Boston Red Sox pitcher threw a ball that ended up hitting Tampa Bay Rays player Jason Bartlett.  However,
Bartlett leaned into the pitch.  The rules state that this should have been called a ball.  However,
Bartlett was awarded first base.  I was upset, but not surprised.  Why aren’t umpires willing to make this call?  It’s already set up in the batter’s favor.  All he has to do is make the umpire think he attempted to avoid the ball.  Not making this call just rewards laziness in the game. 

I’ve played the game; there are a number of ways to “try” to avoid the ball.  I’ve used them.  If it’s coming at you, you can turn your back into it.  This both looks like an attempt avoid the ball, and you get first base.  A ball at your feet or bouncing in the dirt, you can leap over it, but time it so your back foot is still hit.  I’ve done both of these tricks, but at least you look like you’re trying to avoid the ball; and it requires at least a little effort.   

Is it so too much to ask for umpires to apply the rules?  I mean, if it weren’t for rules, we wouldn’t need umpires.

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