Expert: Andrew Senger - 6/10/2010

Question
In a Babe Ruth league, a batter is hit by a pitch. The umpire rules that the batter never tried to get out of the way and does not give the batter the base. The batters coach protests the call by the umpire to the league. Is this call by the umpire a judgement call? Is it able to be protested on any level?

Answer
Anthony,

Whether or not the batter moved is a judgment call by the umpire. However, the coach could protest whether or not the rule is in the rulebook. My local league has actually changed the rule to state the batter can't lean into a pitch, but is not required to move out of the way of a pitch toward him. If I were to not award the batter first base in the same situation, the coach could protest the application of the rules.