A batter shall not delay the game by failing to promptly take her position in the batter's box within 20 seconds, or by stepping out of the box when the picher is on the pitcher's plate.
PENALTY: ... For failure of the batter to be ready within 20 seconds after the ball has been returned to the pitcher, the umpire shall call a strike. If it is the third strike, the umpire shall call time and declare the batter out.
EFFECT: ... The umpire is authorized to refuse to grant time-out if the batter repeatedly causes delay or if her leaving the batter's box appears to be an attempt to worry the picher or to gain some other advantage.
That's 20 seconds from completion of the last play... and that seems like an eternity. Get them in there quick and play the game.
And I think I remember someone saying ASA is 10 seconds.
"Come on batter. The clock is ticking. Get in the box." pause. pause. pause. "PLAY BALL." or "STRIKE."
[Edited by DownTownTonyBrown on May 4th, 2004 at 04:41 PM]