The batter’s hands are not considered part of the bat.ģ. It does not matter if the ball strikes the ground before hitting the batter.Ģ. The ball is dead immediately and is a strike or ballġ. Strike the ground before it hits the batter.ĮXCEPTION: If the batter makes no effort to avoid being hit, the hitting of

Part of the batter's person or clothing (if not loose garment). The batter is awarded 1st base and all base runners advance one base (ifįorced), when a pitched ball, not struck at and not called a strike, touches any PENALTY: The batter remains at bat (pitch is a ball or strike), unless pitch A batter shall not permit a pitched ball to touch him The benefit of the doubt under USSSA is not with the batter. The way the USSSA rule is written and applied does not seem to take into account those players who are frozen by the pitch or do not react quickly. Note: The benefit of any doubt must go to the batter and could include a batterįreezing and unable to move due to the unusual movement or speed of the pitch. Some of our weaker hitters at the bottom of the lineup do not have the best reaction times, and often times freeze at the plate. We have had several instances in USSSA this year where a batter hit by pitch (HBP) was not awarded first base because the PU did not think the batter made an effort to avoid being hit. In our schedule, we play about 6 USSSA tournaments and 6 ASA tournaments.

Asa softball strike zone