Step out of batters box

[Rich Ives]

Originally Posted by Danvrapp

Hey all...I'm a troll from the basketball forum (translation: I know nothin' about baseball).

I'm seeing/hearing all the hype about the Nationals player (and manager) that got tossed because the guy stepped out of the batters box. I want to say I remember seeing something that, in an attempt to speed up the game, that it was a new rule this year that if you were out of the box you get tossed (or assessed an automatic strike...or an automatic out...or an automatic something)?

It looks like on the video I'm seeing, the ump clearly asks him to step back into the box, then a moment later (after I'm assuming the player says something) he gets tossed. Was the original ejected warranted?

In MLB (OBR) it's just a fine if you violate the batter's box rule.

In MiLB (OBR) and HS (FED/NFHS) it can be a strike.

Both the rule sets include the phrase "and delays the game" so it isn't automatic.

Harper got ejected for being a smart-a$$, not for violating the rule.