Hawk’s Rules at Home Plate: Batters Box and Base Running(Myths and Misconceptions Part 2)

Featuring Doug “Hawk” Erickson

Doug “Hawk” Erickson is a former Little League Umpire Consultant and Rules Expert.  His umpire experience includes working three World Series (Little League World Series – 1995 and 2 Softball World Series), eight Regional Tournaments and, conducting two week long umpire schools annually for Little League Baseball. His training school played a huge role in Adam Hamari’s rise to becoming an MLB Umpire. He is serving his 49th year in youth baseball and softball and is currently a Babe Ruth State Commissioner for the States of Michigan and Wisconsin. He was inducted into the Upper Peninsula Little League Hall of Fame in 1995. Hawk’s Rules are based on his training school along with the manual and rules book he helped write. 

THE BATTER CAN NOT OVER RUN FIRST BASE ON A BASE ON BALLS.
Approved Ruling: 7.08(c) simply states that a batter-runner must immediately return after overrunning first base.  It does not specify how a player became a runner nor specify exceptions on that basis.  It could be a hit, walk, error or dropped 3rd strike.

IF A BATTER SWINGS AT A PITCH, AND THE PITCH HITS THE BATTER IN THE BATTER’S BOX, THE BATTER IS AWARDED FIRST BASE.
Approved Ruling:  The batter is not awarded first base, since the batter swung, a strike is recorded and if it was the 3rd strike, the batter is out. Editors Note: Anytime the batter is hit with a pitch ball the ball is dead. Then the umpires must decide did the batter swing at the pitch, attempt to avoid the pitch, was the pitch in the strike zone.  Rule 6.08(b)

THE BATTER CANNOT BE CALLED OUT FOR INTERFERENCE IF HE/SHE IS IN THE BATTER’S BOX.
Approved Ruling: Offensive/ Batter Interference is defined in Rule 2.00, and there is no specific exception for the batter’s box.  The batter’s actions are what causes interference and not necessarily where he/she is.  Rule 6.06 (c)

TIE GOES TO THE RUNNER.
Approved Ruling: There is no such thing in the world of umpiring.  The runner is either out or safe.  The umpire must judge out or safe.
Editor Note: It is impossible to judge a tie.

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