Blue, What's the call

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Looking for confirmation on what the "Catcher's Box" is, and how it comes into play during an intentional base on balls.

I'll give you what I feel to be the rule and what the two umpires tried convincing me to be the rule, as well as the other teams coach.

According to the NFHS rules the "catchers box" extends backwards from the outside edges of the batters box 10" and measures 8'5" along the back.

During the IBB I instructed my catcher to stand behind the opposite batters box, but not beyond the outside edge of the batters box. Upon delivery of the pitch the others team coach yelled it was an illegal pitch because the catcher had to start behind the plate and then move out behind the opposite batters box. I disagreed and voiced my opinion to what constituted the "Catcher's Box" which my catcher clearly stayed within. The coach questioned the position of the catcher the next two pitches when the field umpire calls time and speaks to the home plate umpire. After a brief conference play resumes and we get the IBB.
After the inning the field umpires asks me for my interpretation of the "Box" and I draw it in the sand that it is where the outside edges of the batters box extend back.
He said I was wrong and that the catcher had to stay behind the plate until the ball was throw, then they could move behind the opposite batters box. I rolled my eyes and walked away while he was still trying to explain this non-sense!!! Correct me if I'm wrong, and I'll admit if I am, as long as the catcher is within the 10" by 8'5" Catchers Box they can receive the pitches, and don't have to start behind the plate.

Thanks!!

 

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Maybe you had a couple of baseball umpires working your game.

The baseball catcher's box is tiny compared to the softball catcher's box (which you have given the correct dimensions for). It is only 43" wide and the back line is eight feet back from the point of home plate. The baseball catcher's box is, essentially, right behind the plate.

It wouldn't be the first time I've heard of an umpire not realizing that the softball catcher's box is FIVE FEET wider than the baseball box!

Beyond all that extra real estate, the catcher only has to be inside the box up until the pitch is released. So she can start all the way at the far side of the opposite batter's box, then take another giant step sideways as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand! She can wind up, like, six feet away from the plate and still be perfectly legal!

Your concept of the box is correct and the other coach and umpire had it completely wrong.

 

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Maybe you had a couple of baseball umpires working your game.

The baseball catcher's box is tiny compared to the softball catcher's box (which you have given the correct dimensions for). It is only 43" wide and the back line is eight feet back from the point of home plate. The baseball catcher's box is, essentially, right behind the plate.

It wouldn't be the first time I've heard of an umpire not realizing that the softball catcher's box is FIVE FEET wider than the baseball box!

Beyond all that extra real estate, the catcher only has to be inside the box up until the pitch is released. So she can start all the way at the far side of the opposite batter's box, then take another giant step sideways as the ball leaves the pitcher's hand! She can wind up, like, six feet away from the plate and still be perfectly legal!

Your concept of the box is correct and the other coach and umpire had it completely wrong.

TY Bretman. After the game I referenced my rule book and was 99.9% sure I was right. Wasn't going to stand there and argue, because they basically said I was wrong but allowed our catcher to do it the way I had instructed her, and we got the IBB.