Batter's hands

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by rngrck

Well I got news for you!! I had a batter extending hands so far over the plate, that the pitcher complained he couldn't see F2's target. Well, I agreed and had the batter back off the hands. In this case, The B1 was deliberately trying to distract the pitcher. Thats was my ruling and I'm sticking to it. LOL.

So you invented a rule? Not a recommended practice.

Exactly what level is this that a batter can hold the bat in such a manner that his arms blodk F2's vision all while staying in the batter's box?

[UmpJM]

Originally Posted by GarthB

So you invented a rule? Not a recommended practice. ...

Not only "not recommended", it's illegal per:

Rule 12.06

(c)(2) During the course of the game ONLY COACHES are allowed to make up rules which have no foundation in the text, official interpretations, or history of the rules. APPROVED RULING: While the umpire may, at his sole discretion, entertain discussion of such made up rules with the coach (strictly for the entertaiment value), there will be NO ENFORCEMENT of any such rules.

(I was a coach when I made that one up, so it's legal.)

BTW, the batter does not have the right to see the pitcher's eyes either, should that come up in one of your games.

JM

[GarthB]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

BTW, the batter does not have the right to see the pitcher's eyes either, should that come up in one of yours game.

JM

I assume you meant one of youse games.

[UmpJM]

Well I AM from Chicago!

(How embarrassing. )

JM

[Steven Tyler]

Damn, there are some bipolar son of a bass fishermen on here.........

[UmpJM]

Steven,

Happy (belated) 60th!

JM

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Well I AM from Chicago!

(How embarrassing. )

JM

Hey! Watch it there!

[canadaump6]

Post edited as per Bob's suggestion.

I will admit that nowhere in the rules does it state that the umpire is responsible for making sure the batter stays off the plate. However, at younger and less competetive levels of ball, it might be a wise idea for umpires to make sure the batter is not putting himself at risk of being seriously injured (some kids can throw pretty fast from 40 or 50 feet). My guess would be that at higher age levels, crowding the plate is self-policed and if the batter doesn't know enough to back off the plate, the catcher may tell him to do so. Even in more competetive leagues, should an umpire not at least tell the batter that he risks getting hurt? I remember a batter at high school level who would stand about 2 feet outside the batter's box while a pitcher was taking his warmups. I caught him doing it before anything happened, but I can just imagine the pitcher getting a free HBP without having to give the batter first base.

On a related note, I have worked with umpires who will call time and instruct a batter regarding feet placement in the batter's box. One partner even went as far as to take the bat, and use its distance to measure off the back and front lines of the box. Again, this was at younger levels of ball (12 yrs). I still thought it was a bit much to be holding up the game to draw lines on the field.

[bob jenkins]

1) As long as the batter is in the box, I wouldn't tell him where or how to stand.

2) There's a rule requiring the batter to be in the box, so marking the box (esp. at the lower levels) is sometimes required.

3) I have told batters to back off the plate when the feet are too close to the plate -- but never the hands

4) There is a specific rule (at least in FED and NCAA) that the on-deck batter needs to be in the proper spot, not near the plate. So, you were right to move him back. That, though, cannot be extended to the OP

[umpduck11]

Originally Posted by UmpJM (nee CoachJM)

Not only "not recommended", it's illegal per:



(I was a coach when I made that one up, so it's legal.)

BTW, the batter does not have the right to see the pitcher's eyes either, should that come up in one of your games.

JM

Are you implying that you'd allow a pitcher to wear sunglasses?? That would be dangerous.......

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by umpduck11

Are you implying that you'd allow a pitcher to wear sunglasses?? That would be dangerous.......

I believe the rules say: The pitcher shall "get himself some cheap sun glasses".

I take it Oakley's would be too expensive then...I think we need an official Fed ruling first though.

Did I really see "travesty of the game" used in relation to a batter's box?