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Online now: 3 members: TABLE SETTER 11, TheBop, fitzy; 88 anonymousDiscussion: Where do you draw the line?
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| Sept. 1, 2019 Wayne 37 Men's 65 773 posts | Where do you draw the line? Tired to have a discussion about this one time, but it was verboten. My contention was that the batter has to have the whole of the foot on the line or inside the line. The words 'some portion' apparently don't coincide with every rule I've ever read concerning as being in the batter's box. I guess everyone assumes that the batter is on the outside edge of the box and not on the inside of the box. My question is, that if the batter has a slither of the back of their foot touching on the inside line of the batter's box, where can the rest of their foot be touching. Are they allowed to have some part of the foot touching the strike mat in that case? You would have to have pretty small feet for that not to happen. The lines are there for a reason. You can't have it both ways. You're either in or you're out. 7.3 • BATTING POSITION A. The batter must have at least some portion of both feet on or inside the lines of the batter's box at the start of the pitch. A batter who steps out of the batter’s box at any time during the pitch and then hits the ball, fair or foul, shall be called out. Steps out means touching the ground completely outside of the lines of the batter’s box. (See §1.5) B. The batter must take his position within ten seconds after being directed by the umpire. EFFECT: The umpire will call a strike. No pitch has to be thrown and the ball is dead. C. The batter shall not step directly in front of the catcher to the other batter's box while the pitcher is in position to pitch. EFFECT: The ball is dead, the batter is out and the runners may not advance. 7.3(1) • OBLITERATING THE BATTER’S BOX Any player, in the umpire's judgment, deliberately erasing any portion of the batters box will be called out and ejected from the game. I'll let the experts take it from here. |
| Sept. 2, 2019 B.J. 1105 posts | wayne.. welcome back even though most of the above posts you answered are weeks old...lol.. me and my "colleagues" all agree and find that the rule is self explanatory and very easy to understand.. as long as the batter has SOME PORTION OF BOTH FEET (toe, heel , arch) touching the batters box lines before the pitch and at the time they make contact with a batted ball fair or foul they are considered to be IN THE BOX... the batter is not allowed to step out of and then back into the box and then hit the ball also the batter is not allowed to step on or touch the strike mat when hitting the ball even if both feet are legally in or on the lines of the batters box.. several years ago SSUSA's rule stated that the batters feet had to be 6" back from the pitching mat but they removed that part of the rule "RULE" A. The batter must have at least some portion of both feet on or inside the lines of the batter's box at the start of the pitch. A batter who steps out of the batter’s box at any time during the pitch and then hits the ball, fair or foul, shall be called out. Steps out means touching the ground completely outside of the lines of the batter’s box. |
| Sept. 2, 2019 Wayne 37 Men's 65 773 posts | Wasn't aware there was an expiration date on posting. Thanks for the heads up. However, you tap danced all around my question. Your answers entails what happens after the ball is pitched or struck. Since the batter has some portion of both feet on the line, they have complied with your assertion of being legally in the batter's box. Rule 7.3 doesn't have anything pertaining to where the batter's feet are touching elsewhere. All systems are a go per your interpretation. I suppose my next question shall comprise of if the batter swings at and strikes the ball and his feet are within the rule set you mentioned, is the batter allowed to have their feet touching the strike mat and the line of the batter's box at the start of the pitch? Like I said earlier, you can't have it both ways. You're either in or your out. Conventional wisdom tells me what the intent of Rule 7.3 should mean as it would correspond with any and all rule sets I've ever encountered as to where the batter's feet may be to be legally considered in the batter's box. It should be amended to say, the batter must have the whole of both feet touching or inside the line. Anyway, at any SSUSA sponsored tournament this the way it has been enforced. Happened to one time when I had to use a wide open stance because of an injury and some part of my foot was outside the line. I just moved it in about 1/2 inch and the ump said I was good to go. Enjoy the fruits of your Labor Day! |
| Sept. 2, 2019 B.J. 1105 posts | wayne... you profess to being an umpire have you ever read the rule book? 7.6 • BATTER IS OUT D. When any part of a foot is touching the strike mat when he hits a ball fair or foul. |
| Sept. 2, 2019 Bob21 47 posts | How about you two go get a room? |
| Sept. 2, 2019 DaveDowell Men's 70 4312 posts | The title says it all ... Now is as good a place as any to "..draw the line.." • ** THREAD CLOSED ** |
