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TOPIC: About Bunts |
| D5 UIC
May 20, 2008
8:50:07 AM
Entry #: 2758693
| A misconception often held by many, is that, if a batter squares to bunt and fails to pull the bat back, it is always a strike. This is not true.
In Rule 2.00, a bunt is defined as “a batted ball not swung at, but intentionally met with the bat and tapped slowly.” The definition goes onto say that “[t]he mere holding of the bat in the strike zone is not an attempted bunt.” In other words, if a batter squares to bunt, holds the bat in the strike zone and the pitch is outside of the strike zone, it should be called a ball unless the batter makes an effort to contact the ball with the bat. There is no need to pull the bat back in order to avoid being called a strike.
Also, don’t confuse a bunt with the slap. This is a technique used most often in softball. The batter squares in a bunting stance but, when the pitch is delivered, the batter slaps at the ball attempting to hit it past the approaching infielder. The definition of bunt requires that there be no swing and that the ball be tapped slowly. In a slap, neither of these are the case. As such, should a batter attempt a slap with two strikes and hit the ball foul, the batter shall not be called out as would be the case if the batter were bunting.
If you have any question about bunts, or any other rule, please feel free to send your questions to me at:
jknoebel@bellsouth.net
Jeffrey Knoebel
Indiana District 5 UIC
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| B-rad
May 20, 2008
9:28:28 AM
Entry #: 2758743
| Question: If a batter squares to bunt and steps his back foot out of the batters box, is he out?
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| D5 UIC
May 20, 2008
9:47:18 AM
Entry #: 2758775
| Rule 6.06(a) states "A batter is out for illegal action when hitting the ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely out of the batter's box."
In your question, you did not make it clear if contact was made with the ball, so the answer would be maybe.
There are three keys to calling a batter out for being out of the batter's box:
1) The batter's foot must be completely out of the box. If any part of the batter's foot is touching the line of the batter's box, the batter is considered in the box.
2) The batter's foot must be touching the ground. If it is in the air as he contacts the ball, then he shall not be called out.
3) The batter must contact the ball with the bat. Whether the ball is hit fair or foul makes no difference.
Please note that there is no mention of the plate in the rule, only that the batter's foot must be completely out of the batter's box. As such, a batter whose foot is touching the inside line of the box and is also in contact with the plate should not be called out. In other words, a batter is not necessarily out for stepping on the plate; only if no part of that foot is in the box.
The mere act of a batter squaring to bunt with one or both feet outside of the batter's box does not make him out. There could be other factors which could lead to an out being called (such as 6.06(c) "interfering with the catcher's fielding or throwing by stepping out of the batter's box...") but those instances require additional facts in addition to merely being out of the box.
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| B-rad
May 20, 2008
9:28:18 PM
Entry #: 2759365
| Thank You for the clarification. It was exactly what I was looking for.
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