Intentionally Removing the Batter's Box Line

[cshs81]

I saw something I've never seen before and it was called twice.

High school game.

A strike was called on the batter because she was "intentionally removing the lines" in the batter's box. The batter in each case was digging into the back line in the box. Ump called time - called strike on the batter.

Can someone cite the rule and give me the wording.

Thanks

[hawk65]

Nfhs 3.6.17

[hawk65]

Actually, here's a more complete reply:

NFHS 3.6.17: ART. 17 . . . Team personnel shall not intentionally remove any lines of the batter's box or on the field of play.
PENALTY: (Art. 17) A strike shall be called on the batter if a member of the offense intentionally removes the line and a ball be awarded to the batter if a member of the defense intentionally erases a line. A team warning shall be issued, with the next offense resulting in a strike/ball, the offender and the head coach being restricted to the dugout.

[cshs81]

Originally Posted by hawk65

Actually, here's a more complete reply:

NFHS 3.6.17: ART. 17 . . . Team personnel shall not intentionally remove any lines of the batter's box or on the field of play.
PENALTY: (Art. 17) A strike shall be called on the batter if a member of the offense intentionally removes the line and a ball be awarded to the batter if a member of the defense intentionally erases a line. A team warning shall be issued, with the next offense resulting in a strike/ball, the offender and the head coach being restricted to the dugout.

I guess the "intentionally" part is what I'm questioning.

Is a batter allowed to stand on the back line?

[VanStanza]

...a batter can certainly dig a better footing hole in order to hit. It is usually the back line. However, you certainly will not let a batter remove a front line or either of the sides of a batter's box. A batter can place their foot on a line of the batter's box, as long as it is completely within the outer edge of the lines.

[IRISHMAFIA]

Actually, I don't like the rule. Let them remove the lines, who cares?

That simply makes the umpire job that much easier as it becomes purely their judgment and there is nothing on the ground to contradict it.

[3afan]

Originally Posted by VanStanza

...a batter can certainly dig a better footing hole in order to hit. It is usually the back line. However, you certainly will not let a batter remove a front line or either of the sides of a batter's box. A batter can place their foot on a line of the batter's box, as long as it is completely within the outer edge of the lines.

I thought that as long as the foot was touching any part of the line (and not touching the plate) then she was in the box

[mcrowder]

Originally Posted by VanStanza

...a batter can certainly dig a better footing hole in order to hit. It is usually the back line. However, you certainly will not let a batter remove a front line or either of the sides of a batter's box. A batter can place their foot on a line of the batter's box, as long as it is completely within the outer edge of the lines.

What back line?

And what's the penalty when I remove it?