Batter out of the box.

I took my answer from a previous thread...(question at Home)..... My advice depends on the level of ball you are doing, if you see someone way up in the box or toes on the front line....this may be an opportunity to do some preventive umpiring and casually warn them about hitting the ball out of the box.....


However if this is any level over low youth ball........Dont mention it.......its their job to be legal..... Don't coach....

Thanks PIAA

not a problem!.........take a look at the thread "Question at Home"........there is a lot of good discussion about this exact subject in there....

Yes the batter has to be in the box before the pitch. If the lines are still there, and the batter is out of the box, I will fix that with a simple "you're not in the box." If he refuses to get in, the penalty is a strike.

I guess my question is this, if he's not in the box, when the ball is pitched, it's an auto strike, yes?

quote:

I guess my question is this, if he's not in the box, when the ball is pitched, it's an auto strike, yes?

No. The rule requires the batter to be completely within the box prior to the delivery of the pitch.

The automatic strike occurs if the batter leaves the box completely without being granted a time out (strike for delaying the game) and an additional strike if a pitch is delivered. (Fed rules)

What dash mentioned is the penalty for a batter refusing to get in the box.(strike for delay) If the batter continued to refuse he would eventually have three strikes called on him.

If the lines are gone and you think you have a guy trying to get an advantage then use a bat and draw a line. You may still not be able to see it but it lets the batter know that you are aware he is pushing the envelope and back off.

quote:

Originally posted by pilsner:

quote:

I guess my question is this, if he's not in the box, when the ball is pitched, it's an auto strike, yes?

No. The rule requires the batter to be completely within the box prior to the delivery of the pitch.

The automatic strike occurs if the batter leaves the box completely without being granted a time out (strike for delaying the game) and an additional strike if a pitch is delivered. (Fed rules)

What dash mentioned is the penalty for a batter refusing to get in the box.(strike for delay) If the batter continued to refuse he would eventually have three strikes called on him.

Okay, if he's not completely in the box, do I allow the pitch, or do I call time and tell the batter he needs to be in the box?

No need to call time. Just tell him to get in the box.

Looks like "time" would be correct if, the ball is still in play, per:

OBR: 6.02 (c) If the batter refuses to take his position in the batter’s box during his time at bat, the umpire shall call a strike on the batter. the ball is dead,, and no runners may advance. After the penalty, the batter may take his proper position and the regular ball and strike count shall continue. If the batter does not take his proper position before three strikes have been called, the batter shall be declared out.
Rule 6.02(c) Comment: The umpire shall give the batter a reasonable opportunity to take his proper position in the batter’s box after the umpire has called a strike pursuant to Rule 6.02(c) and before the umpire calls a successive strike pursuant to Rule 6.02(c).

So, batter won't enter, time, that's a strike. Enter the box or, strike two, etc. Do not allow the pitcher to pitch if the batter is not in the box.

Stepping out and not getting in are two seperate animals. Steps out, call it what it is.
Won't get in, call the strike, without the pitch, safer that way.

I was hosting/TDing, and PA guy, behind HP, a U16 BR tournament, had a particular team that was slow to enter on every pitch, long winded signs, adjustments, hooo humm, etc.. One particular umpire grew quite impatient, and directed (via a beckon) the pitcher too pitch.
While batter was still facing away toward 3RD base coach.. The pitch happened to be up and in, the batter didn't even see it until it was nearly there, went down in a heap, very lucky not to be drilled, do not allow this on your watch..

I was on the horn to the assignor before the next pitch, unbelievable! Punish the batter if you must, but protect them always.
I have never been one to use the lawsuit scare tactic, but this would be one that I as an umpire would not want to battle.