Mechanics question

[jmkupka]

One of my more challenging calls is the batter stepping out of the box while slap-bunting. I actually find it easier to see as a BU than as a PU, but I hesitate to make the call from the bases.

In A position, one can plainly see part of the plate disappear behind the foot of a right-handed slap-bunter. This happens pretty often, but in discussions with my partner, they've made it clear they'd rather I leave the call up to them.

[MichaelVA2000]

Originally Posted by jmkupka

One of my more challenging calls is the batter stepping out of the box while slap-bunting. I actually find it easier to see as a BU than as a PU, but I hesitate to make the call from the bases.

In A position, one can plainly see part of the plate disappear behind the foot of a right-handed slap-bunter. This happens pretty often, but in discussions with my partner, they've made it clear they'd rather I leave the call up to them.

As the BU that's a tough call to sell from 75 feet away.

[wadeintothem]

Sorry, you cant make that call from BU IMO. Dont forget, she must make contact with the ball with one foot COMPLETELY outside the box and on the ground.

As PU, I watch for tells.

A slapper set up in the box is a good tell that this is a potential call.

Prints can be another. Watch where they are when they take a pitch. These can all be tells that this call could be forthcoming. None of this stuff you can see from BU.

Dont OOO this call. Be 100% sure.

Usually, they are legal. That is a big batters box with a lot of room up front.

Edit: Dont get sold on this call by a coach. They havent a clue as to this rule in 95% of the cases.

[NCASAUmp]

Originally Posted by wadeintothem

Edit: Dont get sold on this call by a coach. They havent a clue as to this rule in 95% of the cases.

Amen to that! Almost every night, I hear, "blue, he's out of the box," when maybe a couple inches of the batter's foot had gone past the lines (or what's left of them). I simply say, "nope, I'm watching," and I rarely hear it again.

[kcg NC2Ablu]

Originally Posted by NCASAUmp

Amen to that! Almost every night, I hear, "blue, he's out of the box," when maybe a couple inches of the batter's foot had gone past the lines (or what's left of them). I simply say, "nope, I'm watching," and I rarely hear it again.

I know how that is ( in reference to the comment about what is left of the box)

As for the original poster... No way on earth would I ever be 100 percent on that call depth perception is a HUGE factor and what may look like it from someone who is 78 to 81 feet away may not be what in actuality occured.

Yet I have another question that relates to this:

When a Plate umpire does not see the batted ball that has made contact with the batter and a Base umpire Kills the play which is correct. How do we know wether she was inside the box or not? A lot of the time the batter is out of the box when we call "DEAD BALL!" big as life it self.... so how do we really know? I know in NCAA (and a few others) we are supposed to delay to see if the PU comes out to trail before we kill it. In this case the batter is DEFINATELY out of the box... ok so maybe thats a few questions in one but I think its worth pondering.

[SC Ump]

Originally Posted by kcg NC2Ablu

How do we know wether she was inside the box or not?

If I'm PU, I ask partner at pregame to call "Dead ball" if they see it hit the batter and that I will make the call of foul/out. If I then need help, I will discuss it with them.

[Skahtboi]

Originally Posted by kcg NC2Ablu

I When a Plate umpire does not see the batted ball that has made contact with the batter and a Base umpire Kills the play which is correct. How do we know wether she was inside the box or not? A lot of the time the batter is out of the box when we call "DEAD BALL!" big as life it self.... so how do we really know? I know in NCAA (and a few others) we are supposed to delay to see if the PU comes out to trail before we kill it. In this case the batter is DEFINATELY out of the box... ok so maybe thats a few questions in one but I think its worth pondering.

As to whether or not she was in the box or not, you , as PU, can't make that decision since, in the scenario you posted, you didn't even see the hall hit her. Therefore, it is the decision of the BU, who is 70 or more feet away. When I am out there and I call dead ball, I am going to err on the side of the batter and assume that she was in the box, unless she is clearly a step or two up the line.

Where did you get this "delay until the PU comes out to trail?" I can't find it in the CCA Umpire's Manual, nor in the 2008 NCAA Rules Book. I didn't hear this at the regional clinic in Dallas either. So, where did you get this?