[IRISHMAFIA]

Thanks for the clarification

Originally Posted by rottiron01

Home plate umpire calls the batter out for being out of the batter box. The batter did step up but there was no box being used. The only lines on the field were the foul lines. There was a runner on first and second. The umpires met and ruled that although the batter did step up there were no lines so they could not determine if the batter would have stepped all the way out of the box when contact with the ball was made.

As you have read, the lack of lines do not negate the rules. Many fields around the country get played with lines, batter's box or otherwise. You still make the call, but I suggest umpires be somewhat liberal, so when the call is made, there is no doubt.

This is where the umpire's screwed up. This is a rule which is not to be called unless it was actually seen by the umpire. IOW, it is a given that the umpire saw this violation or the call would never have been made.

The umpires ruled that: Batter gets first base, the runner on first gets third, and the runner from second scored. They used their judgment at the time the ball was picked up by the outfielder. (The outfielders did not hear the batter out call so they made a normal play on the ball.) The offensive team protests the game because they felt the umpire did not know the rule. The offensive team enden up losing by one run. Is this misinterpretation of a rule or not because they changed their call? Can you call "out of the box" if there is no box being utilized?

Thanks for any help!

This is a prison league and these guys complain about every call. Sometimes even when it is in their favor.

Still confused about a protest of a call which favored the team protesting. Of course, they were somewhat right, but still . . . Games there must be a lot of fun.