Batter out of box

[spots101]

Originally Posted by Tim C

I am not good enough of an umpire to properly track a pitch, read everything that happens at the moment of impact betwix bat and ball AND also look down to see a batter's foot.

Wow, and with your "Columnist" title and your 3801 games and your 1,500+ posts I'm really kinda disappointed in you.

Originally Posted by Tim C

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."

What would you call? Hmmm. Well, if the batter reaches over and is able to hit the ball without any "violation" then we have a fair ball, if hit to the left of the foul line. It is humanly possible for the batter to do this and have both feet in proper position. This play was on Sportscenter not too long ago. One doesn't have to be a lizard to be able to look down right after impact from the bat hitting the ball and notice if the batter is out of the box. Notice I didn't say at the moment of impact but rather after impact. The batter's momentum will not allow him to instantly correct his "violation".

Maybe you should change "Strikes & Outs" to "Picks & Chooses".

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by spots101

One doesn't have to be a lizard to be able to look down right after impact from the bat hitting the ball and notice if the batter is out of the box. Notice I didn't say at the moment of impact but rather after impact. The batter's momentum will not allow him to instantly correct his "violation".

No, but his momentum will allow it to appear he was in violation when he really wasn't.

The rule doesn't say the foot needs to be on the ground "right after impact." Just because it might be on the ground after impact doesn't mean it was on the ground AT impact.

[3appleshigh]

I called this wed night, Batter turns to bunt early, Blocks my view early, then I pick up the ball again the pitch is a good foot outside, batter reaches over and bunts the ball fair, His foot even the print was still there directly behing the point of the plate. With my periferal vision I can see if he moves his leg in a mannor to lift the leg prior to impact (maybe the better vision of the HSM helps - but wait there is no advantage for that) it is a tie game and an attempted SAC. Slower runner on base so the player had to try to hit the ball or the runner is DOA on the play. I Called him out and returned the runner. It was obvious blatent and was a direct violation in an attempt to gain an advantage. I'm soory some of you wouldn't have the nuts to make the right call.

Also had one in HS this season where a kid almost straddled the plate and bunted. When it is rediculously obvious YOU MUST CALL IT. Maybe your lucky and never had one this bad, but I have had 2 this year, probably have seen 1 a seson or every other, but it does happen. And it is not as difficult as you want to make it out.