Situation. Less than 2 outs - 1st base not occupied. Batter check swings with 2 strikes. PU calls ball-no swing. Batter stays in box believing pitch was a ball. Check swing is appealed and FU says he went. Is the batter just out of luck in terms of being able to advance to 1st? What should the batter be coached to do in that situation?

Yes, the batter is out of luck on that.

Some umpires, though it's rare, cover in their pre-game that if this situation arises, and the BU (base umpire, used more often than FU) is going to call it a swing, the BU can go ahead and make that call ("Yes he did!") without the appeal, so the runner has a chance.

This would typically be done at the levels where the PU HAS to appeal if asked by the catcher or coach. I believe in NCAA they have to, in NFHS it's an option.

As a coach, you wouldn't want your guys to just take off on any check swings that get by the catcher. The problem is the defense will NOT appeal if the catcher has no shot.

If I were the batter, I guess I might try running down first pointing at the base umpire hoping he signals something

In that situation, as PU, I will immediately ask BU "Did he go?"

Yeah, this is a tough one for the offense. While dash's immediate call might help, batter would still probably not have enough time to get to first.

This happend this weekend for us. 16u WWBA. Batter check swings on DTS. PU calls ball, catcher goes back, gets the ball and tags batter - PU repeats he did not go. Catcher asks for appeal and BU says he went. Catcher tags him again, PU calls out. No chance for batter to advance.

Not much we could do.

quote:

Originally posted by bballman:
Yeah, this is a tough one for the offense. While dash's immediate call might help, batter would still probably not have enough time to get to first.

This happend this weekend for us. 16u WWBA. Batter check swings on DTS. PU calls ball, catcher goes back, gets the ball and tags batter - PU repeats he did not go. Catcher asks for appeal and BU says he went. Catcher tags him again, PU calls out. No chance for batter to advance.
Not much we could do.

That's why you check imediately, it gives them the best chance to complete the play. Also, an advanced mechanic that the MLBUM suggests is for the BU to imediately show the swing if he is going to rule it that way. Most lower guys don't use it but it is used at the pro level and certain levels below that.