Batting Position

[rwest]

Context: ASA Slow Pitch Softball

Rule 7-3-A: Prior to the pitch, the batter must have both feet completely within the lines of the batter's box. The batter may touch the lines, but no part of the foot may be outside the lines prior to the pitch.

Now the question. What is the proper mechanic for when a batter does have part of his foot over the line? Do you hold up the pitcher until they are completely within the batter's box? If you failed to do so and you notice it after the pitch has been delivered, what then? If the batter makes contact with the ball, what do you do?

Thanks!
Randall

[whiskers_ump]

Yes, I would hold up play...Everyone is not ready at this
point. I would call play and have s/he get in the batters
box. If the batter has an entire foot on the ground outside
the lines of BB when ball makes contact with the bat, the
batter is out. Fair or Foul. (ASA 7-6-D) If no contact
you have nothing. Be sure that the foot was touching the
ground before you make this call.

[SamNVa]

rwest.

If I notice a batter who is not setup in the box properly and the pitcher has not started his motion, I will loudly call TIME and instruct the batter to take a proper position. If you don't catch it in time and a pitch is delivered, there is no violation unless the batter contacts the ball with his foot on the ground completely OUTSIDE the box, in which case, he is out. Otherwise, it's basically a "Don't Do That" call.

SamC

[chuck chopper]

I also just hold the pitcher up until the batter gets in/not on the box.
By the way..what's a batters box look like ?. None of our weekly rec level adult programs have boxes. They just have holes they stand in. Must be a budgetary issue, and what coach is going to keep a chalker in the trunk.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by SamNVa
rwest.

If I notice a batter who is not setup in the box properly and the pitcher has not started his motion, I will loudly call TIME and instruct the batter to take a proper position. If you don't catch it in time and a pitch is delivered, there is no violation unless the batter contacts the ball with his foot on the ground completely OUTSIDE the box, in which case, he is out. Otherwise, it's basically a "Don't Do That" call.

SamC

To add a little bit to that, once told to get in the box, and the batter doesn't comply or starts jerking you around about it, call a strike (assuming the batter has consumed 10 seconds (New York seconds, that is).

It is the umpire's job to instruct the batter to prepare for the pitch, not to play games or coach them into position or suspend play until they get the idea.

[CecilOne]

Originally posted by chuck chopper
I also just hold the pitcher up until the batter gets in/not on the box.
By the way..what's a batters box look like ?. None of our weekly rec level adult programs have boxes. They just have holes they stand in. Must be a budgetary issue, and what coach is going to keep a chalker in the trunk. [/B]

The box is always there. It's the lines that aren't.