# Baseball: Hitter didn't try to get out of the way **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [July 25, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536 "2013-07-25T23:57:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/1 "2013-07-25T23:57:04Z")
When was the last time a batter was hit by a pitch but was ruled that he couldn’t take a base because he didn’t try to avoid the pitch? ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/2 "2013-07-26T00:53:12Z")
I don’t think the batter is required to try to get out of the way. If he gets hit and his body is outside the box he doesn’t get a base. In between the boxes belongs to the pitcher. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/3 "2013-07-26T00:59:24Z")
> [@Cubsfan](#): > > I don’t think the batter is required to try to get out of the way. If he gets hit and his body is outside the box he doesn’t get a base. In between the boxes belongs to the pitcher. That’s my understanding as well, there is no requirement to avoid the pitch. That said got gotta be pretty tough to just stand there and get hit, that shit hurts like hell, I’m sure everyone’s first instinct is to jump. Curious to see if anyone can find a rule to the contrary… ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 1:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/4 "2013-07-26T01:00:19Z")
[Rule 6.08](http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/official_info/official_rules/batter_6.jsp) > [@](#): > > (b) He is touched by a pitched ball which he is not attempting to hit unless (1) The ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, or (2) **The batter makes no attempt to avoid being touched by the ball** ; > If the ball is in the strike zone when it touches the batter, it shall be called a strike, whether or not the batter tries to avoid the ball. If the ball is outside the strike zone when it touches the batter, **it shall be called a ball if he makes no attempt to avoid being touched**. I don’t when the last time a batter hit by a pitch outside the box was called for a ball. ETA: Note it’s not simply over the plate, but just the strike zone. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/5 "2013-07-26T01:02:00Z")
[Huh](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hit_by_pitch), Wikipedia says the batter doesn’t get first of he makes no effort. Learn something new every day… ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/6 "2013-07-26T01:45:24Z")
It’s extremely rare that this is called, but I have heard of it happening back in the 70s (though I don’t recall the details). ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/7 "2013-07-26T01:56:56Z")
I suppose if a batter seems to move into a pitch to intentionally get hit an ump may call it. I don’t think anyone throws the ball slowly enough to call this otherwise. Well except maybe a knuckleballer, but if the pitcher and the catcher have no idea where the ball is going it seems unfair to call the batter on this. ---
**Author:** ![Obeseus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/bbce88/32.png) [@Obeseus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Obeseus)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 3:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/8 "2013-07-26T03:32:19Z")
I don’t know who was last, but the most notable incident occurred May 31, 1968. Don Drysdale was going for his 5th consecutive shutout. The Dodgers took a 3-0 lead into the top of the 9th inning. The Giants loaded the bases with no outs. Dick Dietz was hit by a pitch, but instead of forcing in a run and ending Drysdale’s streak, the plate umpire did not allow Dietz first base due to him not getting out of the way. Drysdale got out of the inning without allowing a run and pitched another shutout in his next game en route to a record scoreless innings streak. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/9 "2013-07-26T03:51:20Z")
Considering his reputation the ump must have been doing Drysdale a favor. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/10 "2013-07-26T11:22:44Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > I suppose if a batter seems to move into a pitch to intentionally get hit an ump may call it. I don’t think anyone throws the ball slowly enough to call this otherwise. Well except maybe a knuckleballer, but if the pitcher and the catcher have no idea where the ball is going it seems unfair to call the batter on this. Many times you see a hitter just “take one for the team” by turning his shoulder to get hit by the pitch. It could be called a lot more times, but I can’t ever in my life remember an umpire invoking this part of the rule. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 12:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/11 "2013-07-26T12:03:56Z")
It happened to Shane Victorino last year when he was still with the Phillies. He hit a home run a few pitches later. Reference [here.](http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_20_phimlb_sdnmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=phi) This game also had 2 balks and a player called out for a foot out of the batter’s box. ---
**Author:** ![UltraVires](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/ecccb3/32.png) [@UltraVires](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UltraVires)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 12:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/12 "2013-07-26T12:10:43Z")
> [@Ichbin\_Dubist](#): > > It happened to Shane Victorino last year when he was still with the Phillies. He hit a home run a few pitches later. > > Reference [here.](http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_20_phimlb_sdnmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=phi) This game also had 2 balks and a player called out for a foot out of the batter’s box. Excellent. Always ask on the Dope and ye shall receive. That pitch looked like a strike. Was it called a strike? ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 12:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/13 "2013-07-26T12:13:25Z")
[Here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BmKxcye9QU4) is a called strike where the batter, hit by the pitch, thinks he is on base. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/14 "2013-07-26T12:22:28Z")
> [@Obeseus](#): > > I don’t know who was last, but the most notable incident occurred May 31, 1968. Don Drysdale was going for his 5th consecutive shutout. The Dodgers took a 3-0 lead into the top of the 9th inning. The Giants loaded the bases with no outs. Dick Dietz was hit by a pitch, but instead of forcing in a run and ending Drysdale’s streak, the plate umpire did not allow Dietz first base due to him not getting out of the way. Drysdale got out of the inning without allowing a run and pitched another shutout in his next game en route to a record scoreless innings streak. I remember that - that’s when I first became aware of the rule. Harry Wendelstedt was the ump. ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/15 "2013-07-26T14:16:51Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Excellent. Always ask on the Dope and ye shall receive. That pitch looked like a strike. Was it called a strike? Going by the TV info, the count was 0-2 before and after the pitch. I’m not sure whether it was judged a foul ball or just discounted, or if the broadcast info was wrong. I’m surprised that this rule is so obscure – you don’t see it called that often, but I hear broadcasters reference it pretty much anytime a batter doesn’t move out of the way all that enthusiastically.. ---
**Author:** ![Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/a587f6/32.png) [@Freddy\_the\_Pig](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freddy_the_Pig)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/16 "2013-07-26T14:17:50Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Excellent. Always ask on the Dope and ye shall receive. That pitch looked like a strike. Was it called a strike? No. The count was 0-2 before the pitch, so if Victorino had been hit in the strike zone he would have been called out on strikes. > [@Ichbin Dubist](#): > > Going by the TV info, the count was 0-2 before and after the pitch. I’m not sure whether it was judged a foul ball or just discounted, or if the broadcast info was wrong. TV was wrong about the count after the pitch. If you’re hit by a pitch out of the strike zone but make no attempt to get out of the way, it’s a ball. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/17 "2013-07-26T14:18:40Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Many times you see a hitter just “take one for the team” by turning his shoulder to get hit by the pitch. It could be called a lot more times, but I can’t ever in my life remember an umpire invoking this part of the rule. > [@Ichbin\_Dubist](#): > > It happened to Shane Victorino last year when he was still with the Phillies. He hit a home run a few pitches later. > > Reference [here.](http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2012_04_20_phimlb_sdnmlb_1&mode=recap_away&c_id=phi) This game also had 2 balks and a player called out for a foot out of the batter’s box. That looks like he turned into a pitch. Trying to take one for the team, or just misjudging, always hard to tell. I’ve seen that called as a strike, but it’s not clear from the video if he was over the plate in this case. Maybe it happens more often than I’ve noticed. Also, I couldn’t find a video, but Coach from Cheers was an expert at getting by pitches. He must have had this called on him occasionally. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 3:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/18 "2013-07-26T15:27:42Z")
I don’t care for baseball or softball. I don’t care to either watch it or play it. And because of my disinterest, I never had any desire to learn to throw, catch, or bat. And there have been times when people in a position of some sort of authority over me have insisted I had to play softball. So, yeah, I’d deliberately take the hit for the team. It was slow pitch. About the third time I’d go to the plate for my at bat “forgetting” to bring a bat along with me, they’d usually get the message and send me to the bench. ---
**Author:** ![RealityChuck](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/realitychuck/32/195_2.png) [@RealityChuck](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RealityChuck)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 3:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/19 "2013-07-26T15:39:30Z")
> [@TriPolar](#): > > Also, I couldn’t find a video, but Coach from Cheers was an expert at getting by pitches. He must have had this called on him occasionally. Ron Hunt, Don Baylor, and Minnie Minoso, among others were famed for their ability to get hit by a pitch, but they were rarely called for not getting out of the way. They all crowded the plate; if a ball came a little bit inside, it would still hit them as they dodged. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2013, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536/20 "2013-07-26T15:49:05Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > Ron Hunt, Don Baylor, and Minnie Minoso, among others were famed for their ability to get hit by a pitch, but they were rarely called for not getting out of the way. They all crowded the plate; if a ball came a little bit inside, it would still hit them as they dodged. Baylor is high up on the all time list. I know he set the record for the Red Sox. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/baseball-hitter-didnt-try-to-get-out-of-the-way/664536.md?page=2)