Ump says "stay in the box"

A friend's son was tossed from a minor league game about five years ago when he ignored the umpire's warning.

It's pretty much a speed up rule that is umpires discretion.  Also depends a lot on rules set too.  Several years ago at the HS level they made a rule you had to leave one foot in the box at all times (unless an inside pitch caused you to back out or swing / miss) or it's an automatic strike.  It was pretty ridiculous and the rule was changed to where the ump can enforce this rule if there is someone who takes longer than normal time to get back in the box of if the coach has to touch all of his body 6 times in order to give a sign when his team is down 8 runs in the 7th with nobody on. 

 

You can post this in the ask an ump forum and get official answers from some great umpires in there.

The one foot in rule (7-3-1) has been in fed since about 2000.  Many umpires ignore it except if it starts to become a problem and actually delays the pace of the game.

Thanks guys. Talked with our coach and it indeed a new rule in our state trying to speed the game up from the high school level on up. Learn something everyday. Love this website!

 

Hope they aren't getting evaluated.

 

The rule has been in FED for at least twenty years. The penalty enforcement has changed so that it requires a delay for a penalty strike to be called. Batters are required to keep a foot in at all times unless one of the exceptions occurs, and are assessed a penalty strike if their failure to do so delays the game. Because of this, some don't enforce it until that point, which is incorrect. Keeping batters in the box before they delay the game prevents the penalty strikes from being called. I get this early in the game and tell batters to get a foot in (or to stay in if they like to wander.)

That's why many umpires let it go when there's no actual delay.  If there's no penalty, then all you can say is don't do that.  It's a game management thing.  Depending on how you handle your warning, you can head off trouble later or you can just come off as an "OOO" and make for a long day.

The way I summarize the rule (several dozen times a game) is players need to keep a foot in the box unless they swing, the ball hits the ground or the play gives them a reason to step out.

Here is the NCAA rule (because it's what I have easiest access to).  FED and OBR (for Minor Leagues) are very similar:

 

c. Batter’s-Box Rule. This rule is designed to speed up play by controlling the

actions of the batter between pitches.

(1) The batter must keep at least one foot in the batter’s box throughout the

time at bat.

Exceptions

—A batter may leave the batter’s box but not the dirt area

surrounding home plate when:

(a) The batter swings at a pitch.

(b) The batter is forced out of the box by the pitch.

(c) A member of either team requests and is granted time.

(d) A defensive player attempts a play on a runner at any base.

(e) A batter feints a bunt.

(f) A wild pitch or passed ball occurs.

(g) The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound after receiving

the ball.

(h) The catcher leaves the position to give defensive signals.

PENALTY for (1)—If the batter intentionally leaves the batter’s box and

delays play, and none of these exceptions applies, the plate

umpire shall award a strike. The pitcher shall not pitch but the

ball is live (e.g., a pick-off attempt).

(2) The batter may leave the batter’s box and the dirt area when time is

granted for the purpose of:

(a) Making a substitution.

(b) An offensive conference.

(c) A defensive timeout or conference.

d. If the batter’s-box penalty is applied, and the batter then refuses to re-enter the

batter’s box, the umpire shall award an additional strike. The pitcher shall not

pitch but the ball is live.

Someone posted a video on here last year of a MiLB (I think) batter going down on strikes because he did not get in the box when the ump told him to.  He had two non-pitched strikes called.

 

Edited to add the link:

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd47e0nOXl8

 

"If the batter’s-box penalty is applied, and the batter then refuses to re-enter the

batter’s box, the umpire shall award an additional strike. The pitcher shall not

pitch but the ball is live."

 

I was thinking an ejection was not authorized.  The rule would seem to confirm that.

Too many kids stepping all the way out of the box to adjust there gloves, etc. 

 

I like the stay in the box command. Old school (like me). 

 

Pet peeve: When a RH batter steps out of box while runner is stealing 2d or 3d to give catcher clean look and throw to the base. Drives me nuts. 

 

 

Like Matt, I'll remind batters from both teams early in the game...usually heads off any issues....

In my experience, kids tend to do what they SEE higher-level players do, from MLB on down. So all that glove adjusting we see on MLB crops up more and more at lower levels. Irksome.