Expert: Rick Bundy - 4/17/2011

Question
After a pitch, can you step completely out of the batter's box, or can you have a strike called against you?

Answer
Tom:  Thank you for your question.

High school Federation Rules, Section 3 Batting Infractions ~ A batter shall not:

Art 1:  Delay the game by failing to take his position promptly in the batter's box within 20 seconds.  The batter must keep at least one foot in the batter's box throughout the time at bat.

Exception:  A batter may leave the batter's box when:
a.  the batter swings at a pitch
b.  the batter is forced out of the box by the pitch
c.  the batter attempts to drag bunt
d.  the pitcher or catcher feints or attempts a play at any base
e.  the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than 5 feet from the pitcher's plate after receiving the ball
f.  a member of either team requests and is granted "time"
g.  the catcher leaves the catchers box to adjust his equipment or give defensive signals
h.  the catcher does not catch a pitched ball

Penalty:  For failure of the batter to be ready within 20 seconds after the ball has been returned to the pitcher, the umpire shall call a strike.  If the batter leaves the batter's box, delays the game, and none of the above exceptions apply, the plate umpire shall charge a strike to the batter.  The pitcher need not pitch, and the ball remains live.

This rule was put into effect quite a few years ago, in an attempt to decrease the time it was taking to complete high school baseball games.

High school players had been emulating MLB batters, most of which routinely step completely out of the box after every pitch.  Over time, at least in our area of the country, umpires have chosen to be lienient with this rule.  We had it used in a game last night.  The opposing coach requested the umpire keep the batter in the box, which is correct according to the rule.  

The umpire did not call a strike, rather he gave a verbal warning that the batter must keep at least one foot in.

Some like the rule, some do not.  In either case, a rule it is, and can be invoked at any time.  Last night was the first time I had seen it mentioned in a game in many, many years.  I have never seen it used to it's full option, whereby a strike was actually called.  Always just a warning.

Yours in baseball,

Rick

















































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