Catcher's Box?
 

Between games at a tournament a couple of us were discussing how the catcher's box is not really a box; that the catcher can position herself as close to home plate as she likes; and can even position herself in the opposite batter's box; one step further, it is technically legal for the catcher to be closer to the pitcher than the batter! Of course on the latter, you run the risk of being called for OBS.

Got me to thinking (again :confused:) as to why we call it a catcher's box and not the catcher's lane?:cool:

Say What?

If you are talking ASA you better reread your manual again.

Rules supplement 8 says the catcher may move closer to the plate if the batter is up in the box. However, it also states the batter is entitled to the entire batters box.

There is no way the catcher could be closer to the pitcher than the batter. If the ball is caught before the batter has the opportunity to hit it, it isnt a possibility of being catchers obstruction, it is catchers obstruction.

I cannot find any reference to a forward boundary of the catcher's box.

Rule 2, the playing field dimensions.
Catchers box, 10' in length from the rear outside corner of the batters box and 8' 5" wide in FP and SP and 10' 5" in 16" SP.

The back lines of the batters box are the front line of the catchers box.

I must be out in left field.

No worries - it's hard to see the catcher's box from way out there. :)

The strike zone however... :rolleyes:

It also says rectangle, not polygon.

OK, so with RS 8 allowing F2 to move closer to home plate, then F2 is not necessarily restricted to the "Catchers Box".

Aside from an obvious safety issue with F2 "too close" to B, are there any other situations where PU would (or would not) direct F2 to move from her chosen/non-standard position?

I will have to reread RS8 but I know it says it's in IP if the catcher isn't in the catchers box till the pitcher releases the ball, and Rule 2 says that catchers box starts at the back of the batter's box. I know I have reminded catchers to make sure they aren't in front of the back of the box. Bottom line if someone presses the issue how will you win on a protest? Rule says have to be in the box and the box is 10' starting from the back of the batters box, seems like F2 can't be in front of that line to me.

Rule supplement 8
Fast Pitch- Catchers ust remain in the catchers box until the pitch is released. The catcher may move closer to the plate without penalty when the batter is positioned in the front portion of the batters box during a pitch. However, the catcher must, at all times, still avoid catchers obstruction as the batter has the right to the entire batters box.

This is yet another case of ASA "modifying" a rule to catch up with the times but being afraid to clearly do so. The catcher is permitted to move in front of the front line of the catcher's box, provided she doesn't obstruct the batter. Keep in mind that the front line of the catcher's box is only 2 1/2 feet from the back edge of home plate. The reality is that almost no catcher has her feet completely on the ground outside the catcher's box prior to the release of the pitch. Do be out of the box the catcher's feet would only be a 1 1/2 feet from home plate. Her bent knees would only be about 1/2 foot from the plate.

That in itself is an interesting statement. What would some of the other examples be?

I was thinking the same...:confused: