crowding the plate......

[blueskysblue]

Interesting what the MLB umpires are instructed, contrary to any published rules I've ever seen. Of course, since 99.9 % of the umpires in the world will never get even close to the MLB level, I'd say leave their interpretations to them. They don't set the standard for those of us that work at all the other levels.

The line is part of the box, and as long as any part of the foot is touching the line, the foot is in the box (FED, ASA, Little League, American Legion, etc.). That's O.K. for being in the box.

Contacting the plate: there is no violation, as long as the above requirement(s) are met, until contact with the ball by the bat. At the time of contact, fair or foul, any part of the batter touching the plate, batter's out. This is different than the whole foot being outside the box at the time of contact. Related, but different, violations, and not dependent upon one another.