Batter's box

[Rita C]

Baseball is fairly specific that both feet must be completely within the box before the pitch.

I looked through my 2004 FED books last night and couldn't find anything? Is it defined anywhere specifically?

Rita

[BretMan]

It's not really spelled out in the Rule Book, aside from the requirements that say the batter must be "within the box".

There are, however, three plays in the Case Book that fully describe what constitutes being "in the box" (it's the same as OBR).

The Case Plays are 7.3.2 A, B & C.

(*Edited to add: Have you ever had one of those "DUH" moments? I just did, when I realized that I was on the SOFTBALL board and not the BASEBALL board. Oddly, the Case Plays in the FED baseball and softball books are nearly identical! Not only that, they are under the same play number- 7.3.2).

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by BretMan

It's not really spelled out in the Rule Book, aside from the requirements that say the batter must be "within the box".

There are, however, three plays in the Case Book that fully describe what constitutes being "in the box" (it's the same as OBR).

The Case Plays are 7.3.2 A, B & C.

(*Edited to add: Have you ever had one of those "DUH" moments? I just did, when I realized that I was on the SOFTBALL board and not the BASEBALL board. Oddly, the Case Plays in the FED baseball and softball books are nearly identical! Not only that, they are under the same play number- 7.3.2).

Thank you! It's been a few years since I did HS softball.

I need this because I was told I didn't know what I was talking about yesterday while leading a mechanics clinic. Four senior umpires told me I was wrong (I am also a senior umpire.) when I said the batter needed to stay in the box before the pitch.

Rita

[BretMan]

Aside from the part about hitting the ball with a foot touching the plate, and the obvious dimensional differences, I believe that the rules covering the batter's box and the batter being in it are pretty much universal between all baseball and softball rule sets.

At least, I can't think of any major differences...

[CajunNewBlue]

I am a little curious as to and in what context you said "the batter must "stay" in the box before the pitch" and were told you were incorrect by that many senior umpires? If only for my own curiosity. I quoted the word "stay" because that means the batter was already in the box and then might decide to leave the box. (and i dont know how to make bold letters )

[Rita C]

Originally Posted by CajunNewBlue

I am a little curious as to and in what context you said "the batter must "stay" in the box before the pitch" and were told you were incorrect by that many senior umpires? If only for my own curiosity. I quoted the word "stay" because that means the batter was already in the box and then might decide to leave the box. (and i dont know how to make bold letters )

I should have used the word "stand" maybe? In any case, we were discussing what to do with a batter whose toes were overhanging and nearing the plate.

Rita