Hitting and Hitters Discussion Batter's box - batter entitled to what?

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We play in a Spring middle school league at the River Valley fields in Marion. During last night's play, on a couple of occasions our opponent's batters were instructed by their third base coach when they got a runner on second base to stay in the box; stand up; and don't move so the catcher did not have a clear throwing lane to third. These were his words and his instruction so it was clear what he was trying to do - have his batters interfere with any potential throws to third base. Is the batter required to make an attempt to crouch out of the way or is the catcher required to move around the batter in order to be able to make a throw?

 

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Batter can't move to interfere but has the right to stay in the box. Catchers are taught to "clear" the batter.

 

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My catcher dd was taught to step left behind the batter and throw. If the batter decides to back out of the box and gets hit by the throw it should result in an interference call.

 

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My DD catcher is also taught that she has to clear the batter to make the throw. It is my understanding that the batter is entitled to be in the box completely or even with just one foot in and one foot out - it is my DD's responsibility to get around her for the throw to third. However, if the batter comes all the way out of the box, my DD attempts a throw, and the batter gets hit by the ball, it is my understanding that should be an interference call on the batter - BUT my DD has to actually throw the ball. If the batter backs into my DD, but DD never actually releases the ball (even if she makes the arm motion) - no interference call.

 

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While you can read a lot of negative into this situation the fact is standing idle in the box is perfered and is the proper thing to do in this case. As mentioned above, catchers are instructed how to clear the batter for a throw down. A girl moving around to most would be a distraction. We teach the girls to stay in the box and worry about doing their job and leave the rest of the game to those that have their own jobs to do. You have to be careful about alerting a batter too much or she'll lose focus and just stand there like a wounded duck for the pitcher. I've seen more hitters become an obstacle by moving instead of standing still. They think they are helping and become the problem.

 

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Immediately following a pitch, and with the catcher making a throw to a base, the batter is entitled to maintain her normal batting position.

When you think about, where else would you expect the batter to be immediately following a pitch except in her normal batting position? The rules recognize this and don't require the batter to move. In fact, if she does move from that position, she then becomes liable for an interference call if she subsequently impedes the catcher- whether she is inside the batter's box or not.

From a rules standpoint, and from a strategic standpoint, the best thing a batter can do in this situation is to make like a statue and freeze, holding her normal batting position. This is the best protection against an interference call. The catcher then has the responsibility to work around the batter to make the throw.

 

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i tried to tell some people this about a week ago and they looked at me like it had three eyes...