[PeteBooth]

Originally posted by smoump

Penalty reads "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 the batter leaves the batter's box, delays the game, and none of the above exceptions apply, the plate umpire shall charge a strike to the batter".

Should I read this as "if he leaves box AND delays the game? Another words, he can leave box as long as he doesn't delay the game?

Situation: 3-1 count, pitch is a strike, but my timing is deliberate, he begins his advancement to first thinking the pitch was a ball. Once he hears it was a strike, he is already out of the box.

Solution a) he left box, additional strike batter out.

Solution b) tell batter to return to box, 3-2 count.

What do your great minds think!! I personally would do b, but am I miss applying the rule?

The Purpose of the rule is to speed up the game and not allow the batters to do their Jeter like nuances. If you go back a few years, the rule was real stringent and in the situation you brought up we would charge a strike to the batter.

However, the FED realized that the rule needed to be amended and get back to the real purpose which is to speed up the game.

IMO it's a simple rule. If you judge that B1 is delaying the game by being out of the box and none of the exceptions mentioned in the rule are prevalent, call a strike, if not leave it alone.

Also, do some preventative umpiring, meaning if you see batter's completely out of the box taking signs from their coaches, instruct them right then and there that it will not be tolerated. Keep one foot in the box, get your sign and let's play ball.

Pete Booth