Batter out of box

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Ok, lets say you have a batter up, and he is out of the box when he hits the ball, and he is called out. Is the ball still alive, or is it dead and any runners return?

[mrm21711]

Originally Posted by LLPA13UmpDan

Ok, lets say you have a batter up, and he is out of the box when he hits the ball, and he is called out. Is the ball still alive, or is it dead and any runners return?

Dead runners return. Does it make sense that the ball could still be live if it was batted illegally?

[LLPA13UmpDan]

ok I just wanted to clear that up. Wasnt 100% on it

[aceholleran]

Best bet--don't call it. As one of mentors likes to say, "It has to be obnoxious." He uses this adjective in place of "obvious," but one gets his point.

I've had the call a couple of times. Once, a would-be bunter squared around with his inside foot way way way far out of the box and on terra firma. He didn't offer at pitch 1, after which I whispered, "Batter, watch your feet." He didn't. On the next pitch, with foot just as bad, he tapped the rock foul. I banged him out on bat-ball contact, leading to a major tension convention. Aggrieved coach said that batter's foot had to be entirely on the plate for me to make such a call.

Ace

[LLPA13UmpDan]

Well what brought this up is, I was the plate umpire for a major division softball game last sunday, and the losing teams manager (Who is clearly a hott head) wanted to argue that the opposing teams player was out of the box when she hit the ball. He wouldnt shut up about it, and even went and tryed to agrue w/ third base umpire about it. Also based on what i know, the foot has to be COMPLETELY out of the box, but her left foot was on the inner line and back foot in the middle of the box, which by LL book, the line is considered in the box. And thats what i told him. But if i woulda had to call it, I wasnt 100% on if the ball was still alive or not, since I couldnt find that part in the book. before the pitcher starts the delivery, we are told to make sure the batter is in the box.

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by mrm21711

Dead runners return.

I'd like to see that. Let's start with "Shoeless" Joe.

[SanDiegoSteve]

I would enjoy watching Roberto Clemente again. He could really scoot.

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by LLPA13UmpDan

... But if i woulda had to call it, I wasnt 100% on if the ball was still alive or not, since I couldnt find that part in the book. ...

Dan,

5.09
The ball becomes dead and runners advance one base, or return to their bases, without liability to be put out, when --
...
(d) A ball is illegally batted; runners return;

Rule 5.09 is one of those rules that a lot of people just glance at; I'd suggest giving it a careful read. There's a lot of important stuff there.

JM

[Rcichon]

Here's the Sitch:

4th inning, Visitors-0 / Home-2, Visitors at bat.
Little Jonny is deep in the box. Too deep but the line has been obscured.
Called time, drew him a line, advised him to stay in or on it but NOT outside of it or I would have to call him out should he contact the ball.

No problem, Jonny adjusts ok.

FF to top of 6th inning, Visitors-0 / Home-4, 2 out and here comes Jonny. I have Ball 1 & 1K F2 and I notice Jonnys back foot is too far back. He's so far back the catcher has to move out of his dig so as not to Interfere.

Called time, drew the line again and re-advise him of where to be.
Immediate next pitch, his back foot is OBVIOUSLY well over the line and he fouls it.

3rd out. Batters Foot Outside Of The Box, Game Over.

Rat shouts "Oh your NOT gonna end the game on THAT call are you?"
Me: "I tried to help the kid with a line twice but he chose to ignore it."
He: "You were looking for it."
Me: "Yep, good night Charlie."


Q: How would you have handled it differently?

[SanDiegoSteve]

"Hard not to look for it coach, since he kept pushing us up against the backstop!"

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

Best bet--don't call it. As one of mentors likes to say, "It has to be obnoxious." He uses this adjective in place of "obvious," but one gets his point.

I've had the call a couple of times. Once, a would-be bunter squared around with his inside foot way way way far out of the box and on terra firma. He didn't offer at pitch 1, after which I whispered, "Batter, watch your feet." He didn't. On the next pitch, with foot just as bad, he tapped the rock foul. I banged him out on bat-ball contact, leading to a major tension convention. Aggrieved coach said that batter's foot had to be entirely on the plate for me to make such a call.

Ace

Ace, your opinion on this play is not to call it because you can't take the heat from a coach for making a tough (good) call! What other rules don't apply when you are working the dish?

[Tim C]

You missed the point . . . not surprising.

Regards,

[aceholleran]

Originally Posted by RonRef

Ace, your opinion on this play is not to call it because you can't take the heat from a coach for making a tough (good) call! What other rules don't apply when you are working the dish?

I think you have me wrong here, Ron. I'm saying "don't call it until you are 100% sure." i. e., don't jump into the game unless the players make you do it.

Trust me, I've taken the heat plenty. For over 1,000 games.

Your response seems a tad off base, and a trifle harsh.

Ace

[RonRef]

Originally Posted by aceholleran

I think you have me wrong here, Ron. I'm saying "don't call it until you are 100% sure." i. e., don't jump into the game unless the players make you do it.

Trust me, I've taken the heat plenty. For over 1,000 games.

Your response seems a tad off base, and a trifle harsh.

Ace

I may have misunderstood you, I apologize if it was harsh.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by RonRef

Ace, your opinion on this play is not to call it because you can't take the heat from a coach for making a tough (good) call! What other rules don't apply when you are working the dish?

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.