If the batter swings at a wild pitch and it becomes a home run, is it still a valid home run?

Question

If a pitcher throws a wild pitch, but the batter decide to swing at it anyways after the ball touched the ground (suppose it bounce back up), and becomes a homerun, it is still a homerun or the umpire should rule it as a wild pitch Ball

Answer 1

Yes it would be valid. Its no different than if the batter were to swing and miss at the pitch and it being called a strike. Its up to the batter if he wishes to offer at the poorly thrown pitch, if he does decide to swing the consequences are the same as if the pitch had reached his bat in the air.

Interestingly, there is a video out there somewhere of Ichiro Suzuki hitting a pitch that bounced prior to reaching the plate some years back while he was still playing in Japan. Sorry I couldnt locate the link.

Answer 2

If the batter swings and hits the ball it is not considered a wild pitch. Even if it hits the ground. So it would be a home run.

Same way if the pitch hits the ground and the batter swings and misses it, it is a strike and not a wild pitch.

Though typically, a ball that hits the ground does not have the velocity left to be hit out of the park for a home run.

Answer 3

I don't think that is even possible to hit a HR off of a ball that bounces first, but let's say it is for the sake of argument: it wouldn't be ruled a wild pitch unless the ball passes the catcher and the runners on base are allowed to advance easily. If the ball touches the ground before reaching the catcher, is not hit by the batter, is not handled by the catcher, and the runner(s) advance, then it would be ruled a WP.

Answer 4

By definition, a wild pitch is one that gets by the catcher, does not hit the batter, and there is no error on the catcher's part.
A passed ball is a ball that gets by the catcher, does not hit the batter and is charged as a mistake to the catcher.
So, if the pitcher hits the ball, whatever he accomplishes, the pitch is not a "wild pitch", it is a batted ball and must be scored as such. The home run counts if the batter was in the batter's box at the time he struck it.

Answer 5

If the batter gets the bat on the ball, it wasn't a wild pitch no matter how far out of the strike zone it was. If the batter swings at a wild pitch as the third strike, he can try to make it to first before the catcher can retrieve the ball and try to throw him out.

Answer 6

Wild pitch is only a wild pitch if it gets away from the catcher and there is a runner on base. It would be a valid homer. I've seen Vladimir Guerrero do this twice since he's been with the Angels. The first one went about 430 feet over the center field fence. Sick!

Answer 7

The pitch ain't so wild if you can get enough bat on it to whack it over the fence...

"Wild Pitch" and "Passed Ball" are not officially ruled until a few seconds later.

Answer 8

Yes it is a Home Run,..but I wonder if you meant to ask if the batter swings and hits HR during an intentional walk...it would still be a HR, by the way.

Answer 9

Hmm... I on no account particularly thought approximately it. that could desire to a minimum of positioned each and every participant on an outstanding container. i spotted that most of the pitchers from final night had distinctive arm angles and speeds. utilising a pitching gadget could make greater experience. it may speed up the competition... there does not could desire to be as many pitches taken as there normally are. Heck... possibly even Inge can hit a minimum of one homer off of a pitching gadget...

Answer 10

It is considered a home run, I believe. It is only considered a wild pitch, if it gets away from catcher, and it was not the fault of the catcher.