How much more can the batter be out of the box if the line is not calked?

In much of HS baseball there usually isnt a professional grounds crew with a legal template to properly chalk in the batters box.......and from my point of view no chalked batters box is better than an illegal one......

Many times I will see batters boxes improperly drawn and I will erase it myself with my foot....

It is up to the umpires judgement if the batter is out of the box......or too close to the plate......I trust my judgement to determine legal stance in the box...

quote:

Originally posted by Jumping Jack:
Why is it that The batters box sometimes is not completly calked in? Part of the front of the box and line closest to the plate is left unidentifable at times. Does this mean the Umpire will give more room to the hitter? How much more can the batter be out of the box if the lined is not calked in?

The inside line isn't really important. As long as the feet of the batter are not on the ground, completely outside of the box (meaning no part of the foot touching any part of the box lines) when contact is made with the ball, then it is a legally batted ball (unless the foot is touching the plate, then it is illegal). Since the inside line of the box is 6" from the plate and most batters' feet are more than 6" in length, as long as the batter doesn't touch the plate (or stand in such a position that they are putting part of their body into the strike zone), then they are in a legal position.


Actuall, the outside box line isn't particularly usefull either, really. There is no advantage to be gained from being too far from the plate, it just causes a lack of plate coverage.