Switch Hitter's Rights
 

Another player told me this and I'd like to know if it's true:

A switch hitter is in the middle of an at-bat (first pitch already thrown) and the batter decides to change sides. So he walks across or in front of the plate and takes his stance in the opposite box. My teammate says he's out because he must walk BEHIND the umpire and notify him he is switching batting sides.

Is this in any part true? If so,
* Does the ump just call him out?
* Must he be tagged?
* Must the other team protest first?
* Any other details to be considered?

Thanks.

Almost none of what you posted is true.

The batter is only out if he switches boxes while the pitcher is in a position ready to pitch. (The specific wording might vary depending on the rules code, but the concept is the same.)

And, even then, the umpire just declares the batter out -- no tagging, not "protesting" (the word you want is "appealing.")

How dumb would a person have to be to not realize that the batter changing boxes is not hitting from the other side? This isn't like an eligible receiver situation in FB.

Not a Question of Intelect
 

I don't know what intelligence has to do with this. The main issue here is getting dinged for walking in front of the plate and onto the infield, not so much informing the umpire. No one would be trying to fool the umpire: of course the ump can see him. But as you know, baseball has rules handed down by tradition, and likely others carried on down from the slow-ball era, and IF a rule concerning switching sides of the plate existed, which apparently it does not, it would, in my opinion, just be accepted as "one of those funny baseball rules".

P.

Thanks
 

Bob Jenkins:
Thanks for setting me straight on this. I've been wondering its veracity for decades. Also I appreciate the correction on my baseball vernacular.
Pallando

What an incredibly bizarre question.

But driven by bizarre rule myth beliefs.

Old wife's tale "The batter is always out if he steps on the plate." This is only true if he makes contact with the ball while stepping on the plate.

Sometimes.

Depends on the rules in use.