Is batter still considered in the box

[Manny A]

Originally Posted by chuck chopper

Steve, I had read the definition from my 2012 ASA book "F"- touches the batter while the batter is within the box. Since the batter had not placed a foot on the ground outside the box I was wondering if by definition she was still in the box. If you guys say she can be out of the box without contacting the ground yet ?- Okay..

When it comes to batting the ball illegally, a batter whose foot is out of the batter's box but still in the air is not in violation. But this has nothing to do with the batter being in fair or foul territory. That rule penalizes the batter for batting a ball with her foot completely out of the box and on the ground. It doesn't say anything about the foot being in fair or foul territory.

So be careful comparing the status of the batter and her foot under that rule, and her status under other rules. In ASA 8-2-F-4, the batter's box isn't even mentioned. It just says a batter-runner is out when she contacts a fair ball. Heck, the ball could still be in the box but fair, and if the runner kicks it, steps on it, picks it up, etc., she would be out.