Catcher's Box?

[tcannizzo]

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 ) as to why we call it a catcher's box and not the catcher's lane?

[MrRabbit]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

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 ) as to why we call it a catcher's box and not the catcher's lane?

Say What?

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

[RKBUmp]

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.

[tcannizzo]

Originally Posted by MrRabbit

Say What?

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

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

[RKBUmp]

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.

[tcannizzo]

I must be out in left field.

[MD Longhorn]

Originally Posted by tcannizzo

I must be out in left field.

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

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by RKBUmp

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.

It also says rectangle, not polygon.

[tcannizzo]

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?