[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by justanotherblue

No, I wouldn't call it. Yes, it's a book rule, however there's no intent to deceive anybody, why pick a fight, let it go. If it bothers you that much, then tell the catcher, hey, do me a favor, stay in the box until he starts his motion. As mentioned before, the catchers box was the base lines extended out, what was it six, eight feet. In the early years, the catcher was prohibited from leaving the box. For an intentional walk, the catchers would set up in the back corners of their box, well outside the strike zone for the walk.

The actual rule (4.03(a ))says the catcher can't leave the box until the pitch leaves the pitcher's hand. That's the source of the complaint.

The original catcher's box went all the way to the fence.