Can a Major League batter hit an intentional walk?

Question

If a batter were to step across the plate and actually hit a ball that was being thrown to a standing catcher (intentional walk) would it be a legal hit? Not that it would make sense, but what if Barry Bonds just got fed up with not being pitched to and he ran across the plate, tennis-style and poked out a base hit.

Answer 1

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker

Of course. It happened last year. (I don't remember the player or the teams involved, but saw the highlight at mlb.com.)

Now the caveat: The batter cannot make legal contact with the ball if at least one foot is on the ground entirely outside of the batter's box. The lines are part of the box. If the batter does hit the ball with at least one foot on the ground entirely outside of the box, the ball is dead and the batter is out.

Note: The batter is NOT out if he steps on the plate under OBR.

Source(s):

14-year umpire; Official Baseball Rules: 6.06(a)

Asker's Rating:

Asker's Comment:

Lot's of good answers -- you clearly understood the nature of my question and gave a thorough explanation.

Answer 2

He would still have to have his feet in the batter's box.

Answer 3

well if he steps out of the box and makes contack he is out. if he steps on the plate and makes contact with the ball he is out. so i think that it is impossible unless the pitch is just high and on the outside of the plate

Answer 4

Well you cant step out of the batters box but you can reach to hit it.

Answer 5

There have been batters that swung and hit an intentional ball that was not far enough away from the plate. The batter may not leave the batter's box as you described, but they can catch the defense off-guard with a well timed swing at a too close pitch.

Answer 6

I don't think it would be considered a hit because he would have to leave the batters box to reach the ball. Just a guess.

Answer 7

I thought you were out if you stepped on the plate and hit the ball during an intentional walk

Answer 8

Migeul Cabrera last year hit a game winning single with men on 2nd and 3rd just last year. In the 14th inning!

Answer 9

I don't think that a batter can step out of the batter's box and hit it. If they did the batter would be out. Willie Mays actually hit a home run on an intentional walk pitch. The pitcher pitched it to close to him and so Willie just stepped over and hit the home run. That is pretty amazing to me.

Source(s):

My dad.

Answer 10

Yes it is a legit hit. It's as legit as getting a base-hit on a pitch just off the outside corner. The Florida Marlins did this to the Orioles last year on an attempted intentional walk.

Answer 11

I saw it happen several years ago----- the intentional "ball" was close to the plate, and the batter swung. Got a single out of it. Kinda dumb,
though.

Answer 12

yes u can hit an intentonal walk ball but u cant step out the box and make contact but it happened last year miguel cabbrera was bein walked and the ball wasn't thrown out far enough and he hit the ball and the marlins won

Answer 13

Yes they can, that is why the catcher has to make sure he is far enough away from the plate. As long as the batter doesn't step on the plate he can hit it, some of the old players in Ruth's day tried to walk him and he knocked them out still.

Answer 14

actually, yeah, i do believe there have been instances where intentional walks have been hit for base hits. thing is that the pitch out has to be relatively close to the plate.

i forgot who, but i think the last guy who actually did it was on the phillies.

also, you might not know this, but joe dimaggio was able to extend his record hit streak by hitting an intentional walk pitch.

Answer 15

You could, but you need to repect the batting rule ( keep foot in the box). But you look like a fool trying to swing at an intenional walk.

Answer 16

he actually did this once against the braves. the pitch came kind of close to the plate, and he hit a homer. I believe it was Jason Marquis pitching (could have been Millwood).

Answer 17

Im pretty sure it would count as a hit. It is still a pitch. As long as he doesnt leave the batters box then it would be fine. They can also swing and strike out on intentional walks.

Answer 18

Yes, but he cannot step out of the batters box to make contact. If he does, he is out! There was a play last year (Orlando Cabrarra?) where the batter just flicked at a ball that didn't get far enough out and drove in the winning run.

Answer 19

Once the batter steps outside of the batter's box, he can't hit the ball. If he swings and makes contact, he is automatically out. The reason why the catcher takes an outside step is because someone reached out and hit a home run.

Answer 20

You answered your own question when you said "stepped across the plate." Simply stepping on the plate is not illegal because the foot may or may not be entirely out of the batter's box. Stepping across means his foot hit the ground before he hit the ball.

Plus if the foot stays airborne when contact is made (other foot in box on ground) the contact whether fair or foul is legal.

Chances are -- they will take the walk because most players know it is just part of the game.

Source(s):

former HS and minor league umpire 1989-2007