Batter out of box

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Who actually looks down at the feet when a batter is batting? Sorry, I'm tracking a pitch and that takes precedence over this idiocy.

How many times has a batter in the Major Leagues put his entire foot BEHIND the plate to bunt the ball. Even though the foot is clearly out of the box, how many times have you seen this called?

Problems find me on occasion. I sure don't go looking for them.....or to prove my masterful knowledge of the rule book.

I think I have called it 2 or 3 times in 15 years!

[Tim C]

0 times in 38 years, 3801 games.

Never considered calling it, ever.

Regards,

[UmpJM]

I had a game earlier this year where we were the visting team. Top of the 1st, I'm coaching 3B, and I notice my batters are getting a fair number of "low strikes" called on them. My standard reaction to this is to tell my batters to move "up" in the box. Only problem is, the front lines of the batter's boxes are about 3 inches in front of home plate.

During the change of half innings, as I'm returning to the 1B dugout, I mention to the PU that I would like to have my batters further forward in the box, but it doesn't look to me like the batter's boxes are properly laid out.

He glances at them and says something along the lines of "I don't think we need to be worrying about that," as he proceeds to erase the front lines with his foot. I thanked him and continued on to the dugout.

I was favorably impressed with the umpire.

JM

[David B]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

Who actually looks down at the feet when a batter is batting? Sorry, I'm tracking a pitch and that takes precedence over this idiocy.

How many times has a batter in the Major Leagues put his entire foot BEHIND the plate to bunt the ball. Even though the foot is clearly out of the box, how many times have you seen this called?

Problems find me on occasion. I sure don't go looking for them.....or to prove my masterful knowledge of the rule book.

I agree totally. We have a couple of our HS coaches who like to use this to try and get a call - I guess it must work or they would quit.

Had playoff game this year with them and sure enough once they get behind a run, he starts. Finally a guy rips a double and he comes out and tries to argue he was out of the box.

I listen only for a second, pointing out the line was drawn incorrectly, he wasn't out of the box and then as I moved to brush the plate simply erased the lines.

No further problems etc.,

Thanks
David

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Tim C

0 times in 38 years, 3801 games.

Never considered calling it, ever.

Just curious Tim:

Would you call it if the batter bunted the ball with his entire foot on top of home plate, or would you ignore it? I find it hard to believe even you would let this go, or that it has never occurred in 38 years worth of games.

Steve

[Rich]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

Just curious Tim:

Would you call it if the batter bunted the ball with his entire foot on top of home plate, or would you ignore it? I find it hard to believe even you would let this go, or that it has never occurred in 38 years worth of games.

Steve

I'll answer for Tim.

I wouldn't see it. My eyes are tracking a pitch, not looking at feet. If the offense wants to give up an out on a sac bunt, I'm gonna let them do it.

[Tim C]

Rich's answer suffices for my view.

A "better" example for you to ask would have been:

Right handed hitter, and the hit-and-run play is on. F1 pitches out so that the ball is in the left handed batter's box - - -

Batter reaches Waaay across and pokes the ball into right field.

What would you call?

Again, when tracking a pitch I would have no idea if the batter's foot was actually on the ground outside the batter's box -- I do not call what I do not see therefore I would ignore it.

38 years, 3801 games and I have never considered calling this "violation."

Regards,

[SanDiegoSteve]

What if he was bunting for a base hit, was safe at first, but had been obviously completely out of the box with his entire foot on the plate, or worse yet, in the opposite batter's box. You saw it, the defensive manager saw it, the catcher saw it, everyone there saw it.

You are not going to call it?

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by Tim C

Rich's answer suffices for my view.

A "better" example for you to ask would have been:

Right handed hitter, and the hit-and-run play is on. F1 pitches out so that the ball is in the left handed batter's box - - -

Batter reaches Waaay across and pokes the ball into right field.

What would you call?

Again, when tracking a pitch I would have no idea if the batter's foot was actually on the ground outside the batter's box -- I do not call what I do not see therefore I would ignore it.

38 years, 3801 games and I have never considered calling this "violation."

Regards,

I didn't want to know about a hit-and-run play that the batter "reaches" for. I wouldn't see his footwork on this play either, nor would anyone else quite frankly. Nor would I care.

I asked specifically about a batter who doesn't know how to bunt properly, who squares around and his back foot is entirely on top of the plate, which is clearly visible in the umpire's peripheral vision. If you saw this, would you call it?

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoSteve

What if he was bunting for a base hit, was safe at first, but had been obviously completely out of the box with his entire foot on the plate, or worse yet, in the opposite batter's box. You saw it, the defensive manager saw it, the catcher saw it, everyone there saw it.

You are not going to call it?

Steve:

The problem here is you are speaking hypothetically..."what if". Tim is speaking factually...he won't see it.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by GarthB

Steve:

The problem here is you are speaking hypothetically..."what if". Tim is speaking factually...he won't see it.

And neither would I.

[LLPA13UmpDan]

It's a rule, an especially at the level i do, the coaches are nothing but winey babies. The coach would have a point to make if i wasnt calling it; and it was clear he was way out of the box. Gotta call it i guess

[Rich]

Originally Posted by LLPA13UmpDan

It's a rule, an especially at the level i do, the coaches are nothing but winey babies. The coach would have a point to make if i wasnt calling it; and it was clear he was way out of the box. Gotta call it i guess

"I've got more important things to look for, like the pitch. Go back to the dugout."

You let whiny coaches tell you how to officiate?

[Tim C]

Steve:

I don't know how to make it this any more clear.

If I am tracking a pitch correctly there is no way I am looking down at the plate area to see where a foot is at the precise time the ball is contacted.

I cannot do those two things at the same instant.

THEREFORE, as a matter of fact:

I have never looked down to see the placement of a batter's foot (feet) when bunting.

I do not have enough information to make a call I have never seen.

Regards,

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Originally Posted by Rich Fronheiser

"I've got more important things to look for, like the pitch. Go back to the dugout."

You let whiny coaches tell you how to officiate?

No i dont let them. I just try to keep the game fair, and play by the rules. But I dont know how you guys stand behind the plate, but i can see the pitch and the batters feet too.