Scoring Question?

[hit4power]

Playing NFHS, although I don't think it matters...

Batter attempts to bunt first pitch and misses, PU calls strike 1. Batter attempts again on pitch 2 but pulls back, PU calls ball 1. On pitch 3, batter bunts foul and then apparently believing she is out, heads for her dugout. OC is hollering at her to get back, but she goes into the dugout. OC confirms with PU that there were only 2 strikes, but PU rings her up for leaving the field of play. No further argument from OC. I think that was the correct call, my questions are how do you score it?

1) Credit F2 with the put-out? (And what would you actually note in the scorebook for this batter?)
2) Does the batter get charged with an at-bat? I think yes, because although an AB should not be credited for an incomplete turn at bat, the context of that is around the inning (or game) ending due to other events (runner thrown out, or game called due rain, etc) and not because the batter voluntarily leaves before completing her turn at bat.

What do some others think?

[umpinva]

Playing NFHS, although I don't think it matters...

Batter attempts to bunt first pitch and misses, PU calls strike 1. Batter attempts again on pitch 2 but pulls back, PU calls ball 1. On pitch 3, batter bunts foul and then apparently believing she is out, heads for her dugout. OC is hollering at her to get back, but she goes into the dugout. OC confirms with PU that there were only 2 strikes, but PU rings her up for leaving the field of play. No further argument from OC. I think that was the correct call, my questions are how do you score it?

1) Credit F2 with the put-out? (And what would you actually note in the scorebook for this batter?)
2) Does the batter get charged with an at-bat? I think yes, because although an AB should not be credited for an incomplete turn at bat, the context of that is around the inning (or game) ending due to other events (runner thrown out, or game called due rain, etc) and not because the batter voluntarily leaves before completing her turn at bat.

What do some others think?

This is a correctable situation, the batter is NOT out. Call for the batter to return to the batter's box and give her ten seconds to do so. When she gets back in the box announce the correct count. If the batter is not back in the batter's box within the ten seconds, the umpire should call a strike for delay of game. Since this would be strike three, the umpire should call time and declare the batter out.

[GIMNEPIWO]

Definitely credit an at bat as an out occurred charged to her. In the score book I would note DMB(dumb move batter). By virtue of her leaving the field of play she in effect "finished" her at bat. I would assume the catcher would get the credit for a putout since she was the closest defensive player.

I agree with the backstop getting the putout, except I would note DMB-K

UMPINVA sez :
"This is a correctable situation, the batter is NOT out."

I can't find anywhere in the NHFS rulebook or casebook where a batter can enter deadball area and it is correctable ... help please ...?

[MDSoftball]

Definitely credit an at bat as an out occurred charged to her. In the score book I would note DMB(dumb move batter). By virtue of her leaving the field of play she in effect "finished" her at bat. I would assume the catcher would get the credit for a putout since she was the closest defensive player.

I agree with the backstop getting the putout, except I would note DMB-K

UMPINVA sez :
"This is a correctable situation, the batter is NOT out."

I can't find anywhere in the NHFS rulebook or casebook where a batter can enter deadball area and it is correctable ... help please ...?

What if strike 2 had been a foul ball that broke the bat and she went into the dugout to retrieve another bat? Would you call her out for that?

[wadeintothem]

I dont usually check scoring threads too much since this is not an art form I have studied... whenever I get asked about scoring I always answer "its a fielders choice".

I know of no rule requiring an umpire to call time and bring the batter back. The time limits would be in place on this play-which in NFHS is a strike and ASA a warning or strike after calling the batter back. Typically we just call the batter back and she comes running back and alls well that ends well.

Likewise the act of simply entering the dugout is not an out - which is often termed "abandonment". Abandonment applies to a BR or a R with the most obvious situation being where it is D3K and the BR simply goes in the dugout. That BR is out. Abandonment does not apply to a batter. The rules that apply to a batter are the Delay rules and in ASA rules involving keeping a foot in the box (which are not always in effect).

None of these situations should apply when a batter breaks their bat - because in that situation the umpire should grant time and let the batter go retrieve her bat.

I leave the score keeping to you artists that understand that stuff, and kudos to you who learn to do is right!

[wadeintothem]

I can't find anywhere in the NHFS rulebook or casebook where a batter can enter deadball area and it is correctable ... help please ...?

Silence on situations like this does not imply that it is illegal. On a rule like this you would search for a rule and a effect.

In most situations, if its not covered, it is not illegal. You would not expect to find a rule that states "A batter may enter the dugout between pitches"... thankfully. Instead we have delay rules.

[wadeintothem]

The question was how do you score it. Since the ump made the out call and it was not contested the out is recorded and must be reconciled in the book.

Thats a good question.


How does a scorekeeper score something when an Umpire messes up the rule? I'm not sure there is an exact protocol for that is there? Maybe DMU?

[MaryAnn]

I've actually used UFU several times, but only when it was totally obvious they blew a call. But of course that never happens.

[wadeintothem]

I've actually used UFU several times, but only when it was totally obvious they blew a call. But of course that never happens.

Well a call is just your opinion - which you know what thats like. UFU is pretty funny though - never heard of that!

Blowing a rule is entirely different and should have been addressed by the knowledgeable coach at the time of the call... if available, a protest lodged.

[umpinva]

Well a call is just your opinion - which you know what thats like.

Actually a call is your judgment.