Thread: Batter's box
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Old Mon May 05, 2008, 03:01pm
AtlUmpSteve AtlUmpSteve is offline
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Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Woodstock, GA; Atlanta area
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Completely inside the box means exactly that; COMPLETELY inside the box. All of both feet must be either on the line (which is part of the box) or inside; they cannot be even partially overhanging the line, beyond the line. If the foot is not a full 6" from the plate, the batter is not in the box, and you should not allow the pitcher to pitch.

"Time. Batter, get in the box."

Ten seconds, "Strike one. Batter, get in the box."

Right about then, a coach will request time; you grant it, and tell the coach the batter must be COMPETELY in the batters box, and no part of theat is within 6" of the plate. If you are lucky, they will get it. If not, you get to refuse to draw a line, and tell them that the batter better well know where the box, and about how far 6" is. Say "play ball", and give the batter 10 seconds again; do not allow the pitcher to pitch until and unless the batter is COMPLETELY in the batter's box. If that batter can't get, call strike two.

I have never (in 35 years of umpiring) had a batter not get it before strike three.
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