crowding the plate......

[Rich]

Oh, please. That list of myths is interesting, but not exactly what I would consider authoritative opinion that can be quoted to make a point.

The current instructions to major league umpires requires that the batter's initial position be entirely within the box. That is, the batter must have his entire foot in the box, including the lines. The penalty for a batter repeatedly refusing the umpire's instruction (to get in the box) is ejection.

Of course, on the swing the foot must be COMPLETELY out of the box for the umpire to call the batter out.

Rich