MLB '12

[Moonliner]

Originally Posted by Strangler Lewis

Why, if as it says, the ball hit the bat? I also think the home team would forfeit for failing to provide playable grounds.

I think he has it correct. The batter is show to be "unaware" and so does not swing at all, largely because the ball reaches him long before he could even twitch.

Reading the rule he cites, if the batter is hit by the ball and is not swinging at the pitch they are awarded a base.

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 --
(a) Four “balls” have been called by the umpire;
Rule 6.08(a) Comment: A batter who is entitled to first base because of a base on balls must go to first base and touch the base before other base runners are forced to advance. This applies when bases are full and applies when a substitute runner is put into the game.
If, in advancing, the base runner thinks there is a play and he slides past the base before or after touching it he may be put out by the fielder tagging him. If he fails to touch the base to which he is entitled and attempts to advance beyond that base he may be put out by tagging him or the base he missed.
(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.
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.

Although you could make a fairly good argument that the batter made no attempt to move out of the way of the ball.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?co...inmlb_texmlb_1

During the last thunder storm 'round these parts there was a lightning strike right above our place, so I know exactly the, "OMFVCK A BOMB JUST WENT OFF!!!!" feeling. The pitcher's reaction is my favorite, followed closely by the runner at 1B.

I'm more impressed by the catcher, his move to the dugout was as smooth and instantaneous as if he'd just caught a swinging strike for the third out.

In Ellisburg, WA, a group of us were walking on the campus of Eastern Washington University when a clear-sky lightning strike hit ground about 50 feet away from us. It really is impressively loud.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by Moonliner

I think he has it correct. The batter is show to be "unaware" and so does not swing at all, largely because the ball reaches him long before he could even twitch.

Reading the rule he cites, if the batter is hit by the ball and is not swinging at the pitch they are awarded a base.

Although you could make a fairly good argument that the batter made no attempt to move out of the way of the ball.

If the ball hits the bat first, it doesn't matter if it then hits the player. If it hits the player first it doesn't matter if it then hits the bat.

Assuming a normal stance I think it is safe to assume particles would have hit the player first.

That leaves a discretionary ruling on the batter not attempting to avoid the ball. But umpires rarely call that unless they feel the player was actually trying to get hit so I think it would be unlikely.

Another fundamentally important question is what inning this was in so that we know whether the game needs to be replayed, called with the current score, or continued later if tied.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Spoiler:

Yay

[Kevy Baby]

Kemp and Ethier both got rousing ovations at their at bats tonight. Kemp produced well at the plate but E not so much. An underwhelming game, but a win none-the-less to stay ahead of the Giants, even if just by a half game.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

So much for that lead.

Beyond that, I'm at a loss for words concerning how tonight's game ended.

[Ghoulish Delight]

No kidding. Wow. At first I thought the TiVo had glitched and cut some time out. Nuts.


On another subject, while I fully understand that Loney's lack of offense is a very valid reason to sit him down, he doesn't make that error in the first, and that run doesn't score. Not that you can predict how the game would have gone with him in there, just pointing out that there's a value tradeoff when you take him out. I consider him one of the most underrated defensive fist basemen in the game. No one ever talks about his defense, but it seems like every game he make a play that saves a hit or a run.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

Absolutely. I like Rivera, but I hate seeing him play first when we have such a great first baseman.

[Ghoulish Delight]

I really wish Mattingly would stop playing musical chairs with the infield.

[Kevy Baby]

Clayton Kershaw pinch hitting. Not something you see every day.

Good bunt!

Then Cruz and Ellis can't capitalize