What happens in these situations? The batter swings at strike 3 but..?

Question

I've been watching baseball for years but some situations still have me baffled:
1. What if the batter swings and it's strike 3 but he gets hit by the pitch, Is he out or is he awarded 1st base?
2. What would happen if a fan reached out and caught a fly ball that is in fair territory? Is it a ground rule double or is the batter out?
3. The ball is hit and the ball hits an umpire (in fair territory) . Is the ball in play?
4. To make the game as fair as possible, I think instant replay should be allowed with certain limits. Do you think instant replay should be used in baseball? Why or why not?

Answer 1

1. A swing is ALWAYS a strike. If strike 3, batter is out.

2. This rule is actually an award by the umpire(s) so as to nullify the act of spectator intereference. It can be an out, or a base(s) award. The ball becomes dead at the time of interference, and all other runners are awarded bases via "umpire judgement". The fan will then be escorted from the stadium.

3. If hit before passing a fielder, ball is dead batter awarded first base, all other runners advance only if forced. If after passing a fielder, ball is live, play on.

4. NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO!!!!!!
The games are too long already!

Answer 2

1. What if the batter swings and it's strike 3 but he gets hit by the pitch, Is he out or is he awarded 1st base?
2. What would happen if a fan reached out and caught a fly ball that is in fair territory? Is it a ground rule double or is the batter out?
3. The ball is hit and the ball hits an umpire (in fair territory) . Is the ball in play?
4. To make the game as fair as possible, I think instant replay should be allowed with certain limits. Do you think instant replay should be used in baseball? Why or why not?

Answer 3

To answer your questions. . . .

1) Even if the batter swings at the strike three pitch and still get's hit he is rewarded the base. However, the umpire must decide whether or not the swung INTO to the pitch. If so then no he is not rewarded the base.

2) If the fan caught the ball in fair territory then it is a ground ruled double. This is because the only place where this would be possible would be in the outfield.

3) Yes, the ball is still in play after it hits the umpire. I've seen that happen.

4) Yes, just like in football instant replay would make for a more "exact" game. However, I don't think it should be used to determine balls and strikes. Only plays that are to close to call.

Answer 4

1) If the batter makes no effort to get out of the way of the ball, then it is a ball or a strike. Since he swung at it, it is a strike. However, the catcher must catch strike three. Therefore the batter can try to run to first if the third strike is not caught. It is the umpire's decision if the batter interfered with the catcher by being hitby the ball.

2) Ground rule double, unless the ball was catchable and it was the home team at bat. Then it is ruled "fan interference" and the batter is out.

3) Umpire is in play.

4) Instant replay should be used to see if a homerun was fair or foul.

Answer 5

1. The batter is out (this happened to Jose Reyes this week when he was hit but swung at the ball so was "not" awarded first base but instead given a strike).

2. ground rule double -unless it would have been a home run in the umpire opinion - occurred a few days ago with a fly ball hit by Ryan Howard was touched by a fan- he was given a ground rule double- but on further review it he should have been given a home run (can't change call in baseball)

3. see web site
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view.php/9822
dead ball unless it passes a fielder than ball is in play

4. probably should be used (like in football with three challenges, but if the team loses the challenge would it be an out?). Also would slow down the game. No real excuses why umps should miss calls- (most of the time the ball is visible in the glove ). Would balls and strike calls be amendable to instant replay?
So good umpires shouldn't miss calls but.. we are all human.

Answer 6

Good questions.
1. The batter is out if he attempts to hit a 3rd strike and the ball touches him.
2.Ground rule double for fan interference.
3. They play on if it hits the umpire.
4. I don't think they should use instant replay. I like that baseball hasn't really been affected by new technology (as far as the game is played). It's nice for the home audience (the K zone, replays, etc) but I like that baseball has stuck w/ tradition. That's the best thing about the sport.

Answer 7

1. If by swinging at the pitch the batter causes himself to be hit by the ball....he is out. Had the pitch hit him regardless of position...he takes first base regardless of having swung.

2. Batter takes second base.

3. An umpire is in play, thus it is a fair ball and the ball is play. If the umpire causes interference of play....then the ball is considered dead. For instance, somehow the ball ends up in the umpires jacket pocket or he falls on the ball trying to avoid it or causes it to go out of reach (into stands or over fence).

4. Baseball is a slow enough game as it is. Keeping your eye on the ball isn't a difficult thing to do. Watching people on three bases also isn't hard to do. Players on the field don't really interfere with baserunners (e.g. the outfielders, pitcher/catcher). Everything that needs to be seen is seen.

Answer 8

1. He's out because he swung. They might appeal to the 1st base ump.
2.If its in fair territory and the outfielder doesnt have a play its a homerun. They can call interference. If a fielder goes iinto the stands then the fans have the right to try to catch the ball.
3.Yes the ball is in play.(hopefully the ump can get out of the way).
4.Yes it should be within certain limits because umps cant see if the ball goes over the fence and bounces back. They could also use it to tell if a ball wraps around the foul pole or not. I dont think it should be used for judgement calls on the base paths though. It would definitly change the game. i dont know for better or worse.

Answer 9

1. If he completes a swing (i.e. not check swing) and gets hit, he is out.

2. On a fly ball, if a fan catches it, nothing happens. Batter gets to bat again. Just that the fan gets asked to leave the stadium.

3. It is a fair ball but once it hits, it is considered a dead ball. Batter is awarded first base.

4. No. It would slow down the game, and some teams would try and abuse the privilege. If it is used, then the purpose of the umpire is reduced.

Answer 10

1- If the batter swings at the pitch, but is hit, he is out.
2- It is the umpires discretion. It depends on if a fielder would have caught it or not.
3- Ball is in play.
4- Absolutly not! Human error is part of the game.