bounced ball hits batter - no hit by pitch

Question
I am a umpire and have been for several years last night i saw a pitcher throw a ball that bounced 4 feet in front of the plate and hopped up and hit the batter the umpire said that it did not count as a hit by pitch and called it a ball.  Do you think that was the right call or is it a hit by pitch?

Thank You

Answer
Hi Tony,

the call is correct. If it bounces before crossing the plate, its an automatic ball UNLESS the batter tried to swing at it.  (I had a player once hit a homer on a bounce!)

Best of luck in your season,

JohnMc

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++
follow-up:

Tony, I took a second look at this question.  I was told that when a pitched ball bounces before reaching the batter, it automatically becomes a ball.  The umpire has to determine if the batter tried to avoid the bounced ball before making a pitched hit ruling modification.

If the batter tried to avoid the bounce but was still hit, then he should be awarded 1st base.  If the batter just stood there and watched the ball bounce, like the rest of us, most umps will take the first ruling, namely, bounced pitches are automatic balls unless the batter swings.

I saw an even stranger play: again bounced ball, batter did not swing and while avoiding the ball, it hit catcher, bounced back and was hit by the bat into fair territory.

Everyone scrambled for the ball or base but the ump stopped the play and called it a ball.  Strange.

Regards,

JohnMc