Erasing the lines
 

I understand the emphasis and penalties for deliberately erasing the lines from previous discussions here but saw a sit the other day that raised a question.
I announce HS games from a press box above home plate so I have a great view.
Between innings, umps are chatting about whatever along the first base line. Defense takes the field and before any warmup pitches are thrown, the catcher takes a few swipes at the catcher's box lines. The PU seems to notice this but continues his between innings chat as the pitcher starts throwing her warmups. I know he is aware of the emphasis because he earlier called a strike on a batter for erasing the front line of the batter's box. Following normal pitcher warmups, batter steps in and the inning starts as usual.
Should there be a call in this case and how might that be handled?

Can't really comment on what the umpire saw or didn't see. Maybe he didn't see the catcher doing anything. Maybe he saw the catcher "grooming some dirt" and didn't judge it to be an attempt to actually erase the line.

All that aside, the rule is this: On the first infraction a strike is called if the line is erased by an offensive player, a ball if erased by the defense. A team warning is issued to the offending team.

A susequent infraction by the same team results in a ball/strike call plus the head coach and the offender being restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game.

You mentioned the earlier call in the game, but it isn't clear if the catcher is on the same team as the batter who had the strike called.

If the catcher is on the same team, and is judged to be erasing a line, a ball would be charged to the lead-off batter and the catcher and her coach would be restricted to the bench.

If the catcher is on the other team, charge a ball to the next batter and issue a team warning.

The catcher was on the opposite team.

I had a new opposite one today:
Catcher "Blue can you draw me a catchers box"
"no I'm not drawing you a catchers box"
F2 "Well how am I supposed to know where to be"
"You line up behind the plate, I'm not drawing any lines"

Later she accused the batter of being outside the box (which didnt exist)

F2 "Blue shes outside the box when she swings"
Me "Girl, theres almost 4 feet feet in front of home plate before she is outside the box"
F2 "Not in front, shes outside the side"

Strange.
This one had a box obsession I suppose.

I woudn't also draw the catchersbox...
However, we wouldn't also start without the proper lines drawn.
The umpire can't start the game if the field is not in good order, but the home team (or the host-organisation) has to draw the lines. If that's what the ump meant, I'm OK with that. If not... well.......

You probably dont work many tournies then, because I can start a game and certainly do and will today again. Maybe outside of CA its very different. Because in the vast majority of tournies I work they draw lines in the mornings and they draw lines for the championship game.. thats it. By the 3rd or 4th game, the lines dont exist.

Personally I could care less and I'm not going to sit and insist on lines being drawn before games when thats not what happens as the norm.

You're not insinuating that she's a left handed batter, are ya? ;) :D :p

At the 2001 ISF Jr. Men's World Championships at the Olympic site in Sydney (Blacktown) the catcher's box was not drawn.

Lines? What are lines? I don't see very many batter's boxes either. :eek:

The rule is a high school rule. Our high school fields are usually properly lined.

Summer ball is another matter. We usually have foul lines, sometimes VERY foul lines, if you know what I mean. Rarely batter's boxes. Never catcher's or coach's boxes. (Championship Play tournaments are an exception to this.)

Yeah...sometimes. :) At least in championship play tournaments they usually at least mean well, and the lines often aren't as "foul."

For those who might be confused, the boxes, foul ground, running lane, etc. always exist, even without lines.

No confusion here. :)