Quote:
Originally posted by smoump
My original question centered around the and/or of the rule. I have never issued a strike for this. I am comfortable with a deliberate strike and if this timing is too slow for an impatient batter, so be it.
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My take (and don't take this literally)on the rule:
If the batter steps out and one of the six exceptions DOES apply: The bater has 20 seconds to return to the bax.
If the batter steps out and one of the six exceptions DOES NOT apply: The batter cannot delay (umpire judgment -- and 20 seconds is a long time).
My take on the enforcement: It's a tool to be used if the batter is abusing the requirement. It's not a strict "see it / call it" rule. Because the batters know you have the tool, you rarely need to use it.