Thread: Batter's hands
View Single Post
  #8 (permalink)  
Old Wed Apr 16, 2008, 12:09pm
canadaump6 canadaump6 is offline
Official Forum Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Posts: 543
Post edited as per Bob's suggestion.

I will admit that nowhere in the rules does it state that the umpire is responsible for making sure the batter stays off the plate. However, at younger and less competetive levels of ball, it might be a wise idea for umpires to make sure the batter is not putting himself at risk of being seriously injured (some kids can throw pretty fast from 40 or 50 feet). My guess would be that at higher age levels, crowding the plate is self-policed and if the batter doesn't know enough to back off the plate, the catcher may tell him to do so. Even in more competetive leagues, should an umpire not at least tell the batter that he risks getting hurt? I remember a batter at high school level who would stand about 2 feet outside the batter's box while a pitcher was taking his warmups. I caught him doing it before anything happened, but I can just imagine the pitcher getting a free HBP without having to give the batter first base.

On a related note, I have worked with umpires who will call time and instruct a batter regarding feet placement in the batter's box. One partner even went as far as to take the bat, and use its distance to measure off the back and front lines of the box. Again, this was at younger levels of ball (12 yrs). I still thought it was a bit much to be holding up the game to draw lines on the field.
Reply With Quote