Batter Leaves the batter's box & HBP

[bluehair]

Originally Posted by tcarilli

Stepping out with one foot is not illegal.

Yet, in 6.2.4H, B was charged a strike for one foot only (a) out of the BB.

Originally Posted by tcarilli

That would require changing the batter's box rule as well.

No, 7-3-1 could stay as it is. 7-3-1 is generally intended for the time in between pitches. In essance a game speed up rule.

Originally Posted by tcarilli

This really isn't that common an occurrence.

Agreed, but it is not an uncommon occurance...not the same thing. Every season I have a HS varsity B trying to disrupt F1's rhythm by asking for time/stepping out at inappropriate times. This is the kind of action that I believe Fed was trying to legislate against.

Originally Posted by tcarilli

Just as "hard cases make bad laws," unusual situations make bad rules.

Agree. I would prefer to go with OBR rules for this offense, but Fed seemed to want to penalize B for stepping out at inappropriate times. They can keep the desired penalty for B mucking up play. They just need to tidy up the contradicting rules/CB plays.