batters box question

[freddieball]

Ok here is the scenario and example. This team here had their batters moved way up in the box to where they had to be out of the box. Some players were actually probably out prior to the pitch and most would have been out with the stride. Back foot 6 inches in front of the plate. Umpire said there was no physical box anymore so he could not call anything. The TD then tells the ump that both feet would need to be out of there was a box so it was ok. I thought any time the player was out prior to pitch it was not allowed? They struggled hitting the pitches with movement so their coach told them to move up farther and farther since it was not being called.

Is there a rule about must be in the box, even if there is no more chalk there?

 

[backstop09]

From the picture, she looks ok to me. The batter's box is 7' long. 4' in front of the end of the two parallel edges of the plate and 3' behind the end of the two parallel edges of the plate. In addition, it's not illegal to have a foot COMPLETELY outside of the box until the ball is contacted. The front edge of the batter's box is much farther in front of the plate than most people realize.

 

[freddieball]

Ok thanks. This picture wasn't the best example but I thought about it too late. When we swapped pitchers they moved back. This example she is probably ok until stride, but there were several that started probably 6-8 inches farther up than this example. One player with a very side stance was without question out the entire at bat.

 

[BretMan2]

Even when the lines of the batter's box are wiped out, or if they were never drawn to begin with, all of the rules pertaining to the box still apply. The only difference is that instead of having a nice white line to go by, the boundaries of the box are entirely up to the umpire's judgment.

Prior to the pitch, the batter must have both feet entirely inside the box. If the batter doesn't then the umpire should instruct her to get properly situated in the box, and not allow a pitch to be thrown until she does.

While hitting the pitch, if the batter has at least one foot entirely on the ground outside the box the moment the ball is hit (either fair or foul) then she is out.

When no lines are present, umpires are instructed to call only blatantly obvious violations of these rules and to give the batter every benefit of the doubt.

 

[daboss]

BretMan may need to correct me but another point of interest is the lines are part of the box. My point being if any part of her foot/feet when on the ground are touching the line she is legal. That makes for a LARGE box to navigate.

 

[BretMan2]

Yes, the lines are part of the box. That is, if the box is drawn correctly the outside dimension of the white lines will be 7 feet X 4 feet and the 4 inch wide lines will be entirely inside of those dimensions.

Still, while waiting for the pitch, both feet must be ENTIRELY inside the box. Your foot could be touching the lines, but cannot be extended out beyond the lines at all.