rule re changing left/riight in single at bat

Just Me100+ posts

We play in nominal Babe Ruth age league. Play is by High School rules. Recent game situation came up where batter changed from RH to LH batters box in middle of at bat. Coach from defensive side protested.
amateur umps.
Ruling eventually made that kid couldnt change as he "had 2 strikes on him"
I thought the batter was free to change sides at will. Cannot find the issue addressed in fed rule book.

Whats the actual rule here?

6/6/064:28 PM

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Michael S. Taylor1,000+ posts

7-3-3
Disconcert the pitcher by stepping from the box on one side of home plate to the box on the other side while the pitcher is ready to pitch.

There is no mention of outs or counts. This would be another of the many myths that pop up from time to time.

6/6/066:13 PM

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StyleMismatch100+ posts

That doesn't say it's illegal to change sides during an at-bat, just when the pitcher is on the rubber ready to pitch, right?

6/6/069:17 PM

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Michael S. Taylor1,000+ posts

That is correct.

6/7/066:19 AM

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dad10100+ posts

So it sounds like it was legal, as long as it was done before the pitcher toed the rubber. Correct?

6/8/062:14 PM

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Michael S. Taylor1,000+ posts

That is correct. Once he is on the rubber the batter can't switch.

6/8/063:05 PM

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RachDean10+ posts

. . . unless the batter requests time out, then he can switch after the pitcher is on the rubber. In Federation rules, a batter can switch anytime he wants as long as he doesn't try to distract the pitcher (i.e., cause him to balk), and it is always suggested that he call time out first to avoid injury.

6/9/0612:19 PM

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Just Me100+ posts

Thanks that's what I thought.
You know how this goes though...
Ump doesnt know, "local expert" aka the jv coach who has a kid playing on the team pipes up from his lawn chair behind the screen "not with 2 strikes on him" and its accepted as gospel.
Is there a place in the rule bool that positively affirms the right of the batter to change sides?

6/9/0612:31 PM

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Michael S. Taylor1,000+ posts

The post above where I stated 7.3.3 is a diect quote out of the book.

6/9/067:39 PM

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