homesteal, 2 strikes and an empty battersbox
 

hi,
following situation,
a runner on 3rd base, 2 outs and a 2-2 count on the batter.
during the home steal the batter leaves his batters box and the pitch misses the strike zone wide.
whats the right call ? was the pitch a ball ? oder was it, cause the batter left the box, a strike (which would result in a K and the 3rd out of the inning) ?

It was a ball because it was wide of the strike zone.

Only when the batter refuses to enter the box can the umpire order the pitcher to pitch and call it a strike regardless of its location.

Not anymore under OBR. They no longer are required to pitch.

"Batter get in the box."

"Batter get in the box."

"That's a strike on the batter, the count is now ......."


On a related note, according to some MiLB umpires, they have been directed to enforce the rule, 6.02 something, I believe, that keeps MiLB batters in the box between pitches TO THE LETTER.

Over 300 enforcements so far with only about 12 related ejections.

Ah, yes, forgot about the new rule for 2007.

hi,
thanks for your quick answers :D