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Discussion: batters box

Posted Discussion
Oct. 18
outlaw44

9 posts
As per lowprofile's comment about being called "out of the box" i had an incident in Vegas this year, when the umpire told me to get in the box ,and there was no box to be had! needless to say i was rather perplexed considering the circumstances, If i remember the box dimensions 4x6 ft??, i don't have a stride like Lowprofile(very few do!!) i believe there was some inconsistent enforcing of the rule, All we want as players is consistent enforcement of the rules,with that being said i understand there is a lot of things happening on the field for the Umpire to watch and its a thankless job, i had a run in with one saw him the next day,He Said" looks like your stuck with me again" i smiled and said "today is a new day"
Oct. 18
TimMcElroy

984 posts
The batter's box is 3' wide by 7' long.
Oct. 18
Garocket
Men's 55
259 posts
That's 3 foot back from the middle of the plate abd 4 ft in front from the middle of the plate and 6 inches from the inside of homeplate.
Oct. 18
lowprofile

65 posts
Outlaw44 it does seem to be a umpires discretion weather he's going to call it or not? I think if I was an umpire I would let it go UNLESS it is stupid crazy the guy went a foot or more out of the box, then I would call it, but I think most umpires let barely out of the box go. last time I got called out for stepping out was because the dirty catcher said something to the ump after my first at bat, got called out next at bat! lol
Oct. 19
Nancy Allen
Men's 55
1440 posts
lowprofile, I am pretty much not getting into the out of the box discussions because it belongs to that category of what I call heart rules. Everyone has an opinion, and you just can't change theirs. Rookie umpires in particular get really rattled when players start on them about the possible out of the box on a batter. For me it is always going to get called if the batter steps on the plate or all the way in front of the plate. Remember if they still have 1/10,000th of a cleat in that box (as long as the other foot is not completely out), they are still in the box. I had one really crazy one in league play where she was completely out on the outside of the box, but given that other than the situations above, I have only ever had one that I called in a B World Series years ago. He charged the ball outside the front of the box and tried to hit the pitcher. I called dead ball out immediately. He of course tried to challenge me. So you don't think that I realize that you are out of home runs and trying to hit the middle instead? You are really dealing with the wrong girl, sir. In senior softball I think that walking or running the box is not a great strategy as a with a fixed strike target that a smart pitcher will pitch to the back of that target, causing the batter to over walk their "mark" to effectively hit the ball.

From what we do here in Indiana, my vote would be to stop marking boxes all together. There are people who are probably standing out of it a little to start, but to me a little common sense goes a long way, and we have almost zero problem with the out of the box situation other than the two legitimate examples that I used about.

These are my opinions only.
Oct. 19
Wayne 37
Men's 65
773 posts
I think a great start would be the umpire making the batter get in the batter's box in the first place. I don't care if the chalk lines are erased.

Had a few batters say I don't see a line and are a good foot out of the box with both feet. I've taken my foot, drawn a box and said, "Can you see that? That's what it looks like."

Back when I pitched I would stand there until the umpire made them get at least in the area of the box and plate. If neither would budge, they would never see a strike, or I would simply put them on base.

Now if you see a batter make contact and their foot is definitly out of the batter's box, call it. Those that "walk the box" are generally the worst offenders, so watch them more carefully.

Dirty catcher caught a dirty player it sounds like. If it's a rule that got enforced properly, no need to complain.

Just food for thought.
Oct. 20
lowprofile

65 posts
Hey Nanc, I agree with you totally that yes a rule is a rule and should be enforced, in there lies the problem that it's not always enforced and no box (wiped out) just kinda wipes the rule out. and love your insight into...no HRs left...I'm going middle lol, It is by far the easiest way to get a base hit unless you have a 5 man infield. you still look good Nancy haha!

Wayne ok but not all umps are like you, of course I've seen upms redraw the line with a bat, but more often than not it does not get addressed. And not sure what your talking about... not being in the box to start? thinking it's a no pitch if the batter isn't in the box and you pitch? maybe I'm wrong lol.

And to your remark at me about dirty catcher? was just saying that in a funny way if you see I added LOL at the end of the sentence!!!! so as you said.....no need to complain!

Oct. 21
Nancy Allen
Men's 55
1440 posts
lowprofile, yes, the rule should be enforced. That being said, if the box is marked, the batters are going to have to be in it and stay in it. Once it is gone, then I am going to only worry about the obvious out of the box calls. I am not going to do the grounds crew work or think that I know the dimensions exactly by guessing. Delaying a game or acting like a jerk is not my nature and certainly not in my contract. Umpires do not need to stir up more controversy than is already present in the game.
Some players get very passionate about thinking that batters are out of the box. I will never be able to change their mind anyway. I go by the principles of common sense and fairness. You look great too.
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