20 sec rule FED 7-3-1

[DG]

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I don't believe I'm ignoring any rule. An umpire should penalize a batter for being out of the batter's box *IF* such action delays the game.

I would only enforce this rule IF the action delayed the game. And, I believe, that is the rulebook criteria. It's one of those, no harm, no foul type of things ... in my opinion.

David Emerling
Memphis, TN [/B][/QUOTE]Read 7-3-1. It says the batter must keep at least one foot in the batter's box throughout the time at bat, and then lists exceptions. Now how many times has the batter stepped out of the box when one of these exceptions did not apply and you called a strike, by rule you could.