NFHS batter stepping out of box

[MichaelVA2000]

Originally Posted by SRW

I'm out working an 8th grade NFHS game tonight... probably the best team in this league against the worst. Final score was 16-0 in 4.5 innings.

Anyway, Team Best is at bat, and winning like 8-0 at this point. B1 is at bat with a 2-2 count, and for whatever reason, F1 decides to take just a little bit longer than normal with her delivery. B1 asks for time about the same time F1 starts her motion. I go set, B1 backs out of the box thinking she had time, and ...yes, the pitch is about 4 feet above my head and hits the backstop.

Any idea what I called?

Wild guess here, but I'm thinking you either called 911 because team B needed help or 411 for more information about the pitch.

[SRW]

Ok time to end the guessing.

I called the strike per rule. Strike 3, batter out.

Did I get grief? Oh yeah. OC basically asked WTF, and I had to explain to him that if she steps out of the box, I have to call the strike, regardless of pitch location. I believe the response was something like "you've got to be kidding me?" No, coach, I'm not. I don't like the rule, but I gotta follow the rule.

Plus I'm thinking I need to get outs on this team anyway since Team Worst can't do it.