USA Softball Ten Second Rule vs. Foot in Box Rule

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Alright, so tell me how we handle a batter who, after a couple of friendly reminders, continues to step completely out of the batter's box to get signals from the coach. Do we issue another verbal warning, and then count to 10 before we penalize her with a strike? Or can we penalize her with it immediately?

The reason I ask is because I've been told when I issue the verbal warning, "Blue, she has 10 seconds to be back in the box!"

You do just what the rule allows, you hit the batter with a strike. AGAIN, it has nothing to do with 10 seconds

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by IRISHMAFIA

You do just what the rule allows, you hit the batter with a strike. AGAIN, it has nothing to do with 10 seconds

Okay, there's some misconception out there that the one-foot-in-the-box rule is unnecessary because batters have 10 seconds between pitches to be ready, so why make it a big deal to force batters to keep one foot in? As long as they have those 10 seconds between pitches, who cares where they go as long as they're back and ready by the end of the countdown?

[Tru_in_Blu]

Originally Posted by Manny A

As long as they have those 10 seconds between pitches, who cares where they go as long as they're back and ready by the end of the countdown?

THAT is the NFHS philosophy. And as I said earlier, there IS some mixing/matching of rule sets by practically everyone.

USA has the "foot in the box" rule with a bunch of exceptions where the batter doesn't have to keep a foot in the box.

"Move 'em along, Blue."

[Dakota]

I have always treated these rules as tools to keep the game moving. OOO enforcement is not appropriate, IMO.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Okay, there's some misconception out there that the one-foot-in-the-box rule is unnecessary because batters have 10 seconds between pitches to be ready, so why make it a big deal to force batters to keep one foot in? As long as they have those 10 seconds between pitches, who cares where they go as long as they're back and ready by the end of the countdown?

So the batter should be permitted to run out to the coach for a quick un-charged conference if they can do it in 10 seconds?

Don't know how to make it any simpler. These are two separate rules.