USA: batting position

[Tru_in_Blu]

Sort of...

Some of our guys claimed we couldn't use that penalty if the batter hadn't yet entered the box. Their point being that a batter would have had to be legally IN the box first before getting out of the box and then returning.

Everybody's mind works a little differently.

That said, I began to wonder why no penalty was listed for the first reference.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

.

That said, I began to wonder why no penalty was listed for the first reference.

A pitch is not allowed.

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

Some of our guys claimed we couldn't use that penalty if the batter hadn't yet entered the box. Their point being that a batter would have had to be legally IN the box first before getting out of the box and then returning.

And legally in the batter box at the time of the pitch.

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by Tru_in_Blu

That said, I began to wonder why no penalty was listed for the first reference.

7.3.C covers it. The batter's position, which he/she must assume within 10 seconds, is with both feet completely in the box. If he/she doesn't comply, the penalty is a dead-ball strike.

I don't recall ever having a batter refuse to put both feet in the batter's box on the very few occasions where I've seen them set up improperly. The only time I've ever seen it is when the batter crowds the plate and there isn't much of a line left on the ground. I can't remember ever correcting a batter who is too far up, back or away from home plate.