Is it actually a rule in baseball that you have to try and get out of the way of a pitch coming at you?

Question

I've played games before when a pitch came at me fast and i put my hand up to stop the ball. I got my base, but the coach of the other team went ballistic, saying that i didn't try and get out of the way.

What are your thoughts?

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Answer 1

i'm an umpire n yes this rule does apply if you do not at least show some attempt in moving out of the way the ump could call it a ball, but it is totally the umps call and desicion on wat itlooked like to him.

Answer 2

yes yu have to put a effort to get out of the way

if a ump get yu on it yu get hit and just play it as if it were a ball

kinda stinks tho cause yu get hit for nothing

its happened to me before lol

Answer 3

Here's the rule:

6.08 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—

(b) 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.

The rule is pretty clear that if the batter doesn't make an attempt to get out of the way, the rule does not apply and the batter is not entitled to 1st base. Obviously, it is up to the umpire to judge whether or not the batter made an attempt to get out of the way.

Answer 4

It's a rule that you have to make an attempt to move out of the way, yes.

Answer 5

The batter is required to make an effort to avoid being hit, although it is rarely called.  Craig Biggio made a career of turning in place while not moving away from the pitch and getting hit.  I think that he took a lot of pride in seeing how many times that he could get hit.  He wore a lot of body armor and felt that it was his job to get on base anyway that he could.  I wish that umpires would enforce the rule more, which is a judgement call on their part.  A lot of batters have no problem letting a big, slow curveball hit them.  They're just taking advantage of the umpires who don't do their job by calling their lack of movement.

Answer 6

Yes, you have to make an attempt to get out of the way.  If you don't, the pitch is considered a ball.

Answer 7

I watched 1000's or pro games and never seen a batter that got hit by a ball(outside of the strike zone)called for not making an attempt to get out of the way and had to continue his at bat.  For one it's an automatic instinct to avoid a something that can physically hurt you.  There are circumstances where the batter does not have any really time to react to the pitch and gets nailed.  Or some circumstances where they just protect their head and hands and let the ball hit their body.  I remember seeing guys like Craig Biggio though that wore elbow armor and he would constantly get nailed right there by pitches that tailed inside on him.  In most cases, he did not make a real attempt to get out of the way and just let the ball hit him there. This is the case with pro ball though, I'm not sure about high school, little leagues etc and how they enforce certain rules.

Answer 8

You don't have to get out of the way but it is against the rules to "get in the way" such as leaning your elbow in at a high pitch

Answer 9

you have to make an attempt, I've seen it called a few times, especially against my oldest nephew, who when he has 2 strikes on him, gets close to the plate. For the past 4-5 years he has led his team in getting hit by pitch!!!!!!  

Answer 10

It is a rule that there has to be an attempt to get out of the way of the ball. From what you described, it sounds as though the opposing coach had a legitimate reason to be upset.