Ten Seconds...

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by jwwashburn

...I wish they would use the same rule that NFHS Baseball uses-keep one foot in the box. Strolling around for ten second is such a waste of time. ASA J.O. has a similar rule, if I remember correctly....

ASA has 2 rules dealing with batter delay.

7-3-B:

B. The batter must take the batter’s position within 10 seconds after being directed to do so by the umpire.
EFFECT: The umpire will call a strike. No pitch has to be thrown and the ball is dead.

7-3-C:

C. (Junior Olympic, Modified Pitch) After entering the batter’s box, the batter must remain in the box with at least one foot between pitches and while taking signals and practice swings.
EXCEPTIONS: The batter can leave the box:
1. If the ball is batted fair or foul.
2. On the swing, slap or check swing.
3. If forced out of the box by a pitch.
4. On a wild pitch or passed ball.
5. If there is an attempted play.
6. If time has been called.
7. If the pitcher leaves the eight-foot circle or the catcher leaves the catcher’s box.
8. On a three ball pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball.
EFFECT: If the batter leaves the batter’s box and delays play, for any other reason the umpire may warn the batter or call a strike. Any number of warnings and called strikes can be made with each batter. No pitch has to be thrown and the ball is dead.

In addition, the Rules Supplements say:

BATTER REMAINS IN BATTER’S BOX. (Junior Olympic Fast and Slow Pitch and Adult Modified Pitch Only)
This rule is not intended to penalize the player, but is used to speed up the game. The batter can still get a signal with one foot in the box and take practice swings.

If the batter leaves the box illegally, a warning should be given. Any number of warnings on the same batter may be given. A strike should not be called without a warning. One, two or three strikes may be called on the same batter under this ruling.

Previously, the NFHS rule allowed the batter 20 seconds.

It seems to me that NFHS went overboard on this one. What I like about the ASA rule (and conversely dislike about the NFHS rule) is in ASA the 10 seconds starts when the umpire instructs the batter to get into the box, whereas NFHS starts the 10 seconds when the pitcher receives the ball. Calling a strike on the batter when the pitchers is not ready to pitch just seems wrong.

Secondly, ASA emphasizes that the intent of the "foot in the box" rule (which does not exist in NFHS softball) is NOT to penalize the batter, but to speed up the game. It also says the warning should be given first.

The way NFHS has this rule written, and apparently they way the clinicians are instructing the umpires (we have not had our state clinics yet), is this is a "zap the batter" rule - zap early and zap often - until they get the message and no batter screws around anymore. Never mind that the pitcher is still wandering around and generally taking her time.

I like ASA's approach better.