Hit By Pitch?

Question
Doesn't Mr. Eddings answer about how if a pitched ball hits the grounds first and then hits the batter, it's still a hit batter go directly against Rule 7, Section 5, Part A?

I believe that a pitched ball that hits the ground first, and is not swung at by the batter, and then hits the batter according to Rule 7, Section 5, Part A should be just ruled a ball, and the ball should remain live.

Mr. Edddings answer has just added the part about the ball hitting the ground first to Rule 8, Section 1, Part F.  Rule 8, Section 1, Part F merely states, "When a pitched ball not swung at nor called a strike touches any part of the batter's person or clothing."  If it's true that the batter IS indeed entitled to first base on a pitched ball that strikes the ground first, and then hits the batter, IT NEEDS TO BE ADDED TO THIS RULE IN PRINT.  OTHERWISE IT DIRECTLY CONTRADICTS RULE 7, SECTION 5, PART A.

Please let me know what you think.


Thanks,

John Gallagher
(608) 787-0059  

Answer
Hi John,

Sometime when we get a lot of questions we tend to be brief.  That's probably what happened in this case.  

8-1-f does say in the next sentence "it does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter."  So it is in there.

Mark