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Batter Out of Box in MLB
I am seeing this more often as of late: batters really hanging that rear foot behind the dish on bunt attempts.
Yes, I know. The ump's there; I'm not. But I've seen some instances that look fairly gross. Sorry I don't have the specific game(s). Here in Coal Country, PA, I get truly sucky MLB coverage, so I am stuck watching highlights on MLB TV. Yes, I also know that umps avoid this call at all costs. Does that mean it is EVER called? Or am I being a Smitty here? Your thoughts, august group. Ace in PA
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There is no such thing as idiot-proof, only idiot-resistant. |
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When I'm behind the plate my primary job is balls & strikes. My secondary job is....balls & strikes.
Down the list at #58 is the batters position on the box when the pitch is delivered. At #87 is whether or not he may have stepped out of the box while making contact. The main reason I even look at his feet is to make sure a batted ball doesn't hit one of them in the box (not always easy to see). It's not something I am actively looking for and it I was, it would distract me from job #1....tracking the ball. |
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For me to call this, it would have to be extremely obvious, such as noticing it when the batter squares well before the pitcher delivers the pitch, and then judging he never moved the foot when making contact. If the batter squares late, seeing his back foot completely out of the box behind home plate would be much harder than seeing it on top of or even in front of the plate.
I really haven't been paying that much attention during televised games to notice if it has become a trend. But now that you mentioned it, I guess I'll start looking.
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"Let's face it. Umpiring is not an easy or happy way to make a living. In the abuse they suffer, and the pay they get for it, you see an imbalance that can only be explained by their need to stay close to a game they can't resist." -- Bob Uecker |
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Behind the plate, it simply can't be seen if you're in the right position. On the plate, it's a little more possible. Honestly, other than bunts as Manny mentioned, I doubt I've ever called this anywhere other than in FRONT of the batter's box (as in, toward the pitcher).
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'” West Houston Mike |
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The next MLB game you watch, look at what the first thing the leadoff batter does in the top of the first inning....wipes out the batters box lines with his foot. Proof that it's not a priority in MLB.
In womens softball, I watch for it (usually on slappers) but not so much in baseball. |
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Youth (including HS), especially bunting and still learning --- yes. The rare times I've seen it in FRONT of the plate were usually batters setting up far in the front to adjust to a slower than normal pitcher, then not paying attention when they lunge at a ball. The few times I've called it, it was VERY obvious and most of them didn't even cause the manager to come out.
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'” West Houston Mike |
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Rich Ives Different does not equate to wrong |
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We're talkin' bunt here Chief - entirely possible.
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Rich Ives Different does not equate to wrong |
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You must not umpire.
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I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, 'I drank what?'” West Houston Mike |
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Peace
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Let us get into "Good Trouble." ----------------------------------------------------------- Charles Michael “Mick” Chambers (1947-2010) |
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Never saw it. Never seen it called.
I've seen people hit entirely off their front foot. Think Frank Thomas. However a foot out of the box on the ground is different from a foot in the air. I have called a batter out on a bunt who's whole foot was out of the box [on the ground]. PS~Isn't just touching the plate on a bunt attempt with the same foot still in the box an out? [FED]
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I have nipples, Greg. Can you milk me? |
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That is correct. Well more precisely, touching the plate and hitting the ball.
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Even if you’re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. - Will Rogers |
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Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Lead-off Batter = On-Deck Batter? | Manny A | Softball | 14 | Thu Apr 11, 2013 11:27am |
hit batter | Howdy | Baseball | 3 | Thu May 22, 2008 01:18pm |
Batter out? | mook11 | Softball | 10 | Wed Aug 17, 2005 11:08am |
Hit batter | kkid091 | Baseball | 2 | Mon May 02, 2005 08:51pm |