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Originally Posted by bob jenkins
Yes -- supposedly for "safety". I don't think it's in the rules book (I don't have it here to check), but rather is covered in some "administrative manual", along with the "base coach must wear a helmet" directive.
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Bob they put the coaches' box restriction in the book.
The Playing Rules Committee made the following changes that will be in effect for the 2008 season:
• Revised Comment to require a coach, until a batted ball passes him, to position himself no closer to home plate than the front edge of the coach’s box and no closer to fair territory than the side edge of the coach’s box. (Rule 4.05)
Rule 4.05 Comment: It has been common practice for many years for some coaches to put one foot outside the coach’s box or stand astride or otherwise be slightly outside the coaching box lines. Until a batted ball passes a coach, a coach is not permitted to position himself closer to home plate than the coach’s box nor closer to fair territory than the coach’s box. Otherwise, a coach shall not be considered out of the box unless the opposing manager complains, in which case the umpire shall strictly enforce the rule and require all coaches (on both teams) to remain in the coach’s box at all times.