Batter Switching to Other Batter's Box

[jnazz]

I was reading the JR manual last night and one of the rules got me thinking. It's in regards to the batter switching to the other box. I was able to find 6.06b (switching boxes when the pitcher is ready to pitch). In the picher section of the manual (after touching on an ambidexterous pitcher switching hands after making it obvious which hand he will pitch with) it lays out the penalty for illegally switching boxes. So, my question is: Once a batter declares a box to bat from, may he switch boxes during an at bat (assuming there is no pitching change during the at bat)? I somehow remember allowing one change per at bat, but this may be an old wives tale. Also, can anyone cite the rule reference?

Thanks everyone!

[HugoTafurst]

I was reading the JR manual last night and one of the rules got me thinking. It's in regards to the batter switching to the other box. I was able to find 6.06b (switching boxes when the pitcher is ready to pitch). In the picher section of the manual (after touching on an ambidexterous pitcher switching hands after making it obvious which hand he will pitch with) it lays out the penalty for illegally switching boxes. So, my question is: Once a batter declares a box to bat from, may he switch boxes during an at bat (assuming there is no pitching change during the at bat)? I somehow remember allowing one change per at bat, but this may be an old wives tale. Also, can anyone cite the rule reference?

Thanks everyone!

As much as this old guy likes old wives.........

Apart from the specifics relating to an ambidextrous pitcher, a batter may legally change boxes as many times as he chooses during.

[widac]

I was reading the JR manual last night and one of the rules got me thinking. It's in regards to the batter switching to the other box. I was able to find 6.06b (switching boxes when the pitcher is ready to pitch). In the picher section of the manual (after touching on an ambidexterous pitcher switching hands after making it obvious which hand he will pitch with) it lays out the penalty for illegally switching boxes. So, my question is: Once a batter declares a box to bat from, may he switch boxes during an at bat (assuming there is no pitching change during the at bat)? I somehow remember allowing one change per at bat, but this may be an old wives tale. Also, can anyone cite the rule reference?

Thanks everyone!

I have never had this happen but I'll go with my gut. I also don't know (without looking) whether there are differences in different rule sets.

The batter CAN change sides between pitches, as often as he likes. The thing he can't do is jump from one side to the other while the pitcher is pitching or set to pitch. The only rule that I have read regarding the switch pitcher is that the SP has to declare which hand he will pitch with and stick to it during an at bat.

It wouldn't surprise me to find out later that there is a rule stating that the batter can switch only once per at bat but if I was behind the plate right now the above is how I would handle it.

[Mr Umpire]

I have never had this happen but I'll go with my gut. I also don't know (without looking) whether there are differences in different rule sets.

The batter CAN change sides between pitches, as often as he likes. The thing he can't do is jump from one side to the other while the pitcher is pitching or set to pitch. The only rule that I have read regarding the switch pitcher is that the SP has to declare which hand he will pitch with and stick to it during an at bat.

It wouldn't surprise me to find out later that there is a rule stating that the batter can switch only once per at bat but if I was behind the plate right now the above is how I would handle it.

The batter can switch as many times as he wants during the at bat. As long as he doesn't do it after the pitcher addresses the rubber.

The pitcher can begin an at bat with one hand and switch 1 time during the at bat. After that switch, he has to stay throughout the rest of the at bat. This came after in an incident in the minor leagues (I believe) where the batter and pitcher kept switching.

[UmpTTS43]

For OBR, the applicable rules are 6.06b, batter switching batter's boxes, and 8.01f, ambidextous pitcher.

Once an ambidextous pitcher declares with what hand he is pitching with, he must stay with that hand until the batter is out, the batter reaches base, the inning ends, the batter is substituted for or due to an injury. If he switches due to injury, he may not pitch with that hand again for the duration of the game.

The batter may switch boxes at any time other than when the pitcher is in position ready to pitch.

[ukce1861]

The batter may switch boxes at any time other than when the pitcher is in position ready to pitch.

What does this mean? On the rubber? Set? It's always seemed rather vague to me; are their any official interpretations of this?

[UmpTTS43]

What does this mean? On the rubber? Set? It's always seemed rather vague to me; are their any official interpretations of this?

I have been taught that the pitcher is ready to pitch when he is in either the set or windup position. A pitcher in the stretch is not in a position to deliver a legal pitch, same as simply being in contact with the rubber. This is a pro teaching.

[jnazz]

Great that helps.

Now in the JR manual pg. 137 it talks about pitchers illegally switching arms and the penalties imposed. It then goes on to talk about a batter switching boxes in violation of this rule and the penalties imposed.

What is this illegal switching?

[Umpire in Chief]

I actually had this happen to me in a Pony game. Batter comes up as a righty. I don't remember the circumstance but the runner ended up on 3rd. Once on third the batter switches to the lefty box. Offensive coach throws a fit. It was all I could do not to pull the trigger. In the parking lot after the game I wanted to verify my call in allowing it.

The rule as has been stated is that he may not change once the pitcher is ready to pitch which is when he engages the rubber.

[UmpTTS43]

Great that helps.

Now in the JR manual pg. 137 it talks about pitchers illegally switching arms and the penalties imposed. It then goes on to talk about a batter switching boxes in violation of this rule and the penalties imposed.

What is this illegal switching?

I don't know what the JR says, but there was a ruling from PBUC concerning amidextous pitchers. Last year OBR added 8.01f concerning these situations. I believe that PBUC has adopted the new rule as well. It may just be a case of the JR not being updated.

[HugoTafurst]

I actually had this happen to me in a Pony game. Batter comes up as a righty. I don't remember the circumstance but the runner ended up on 3rd. Once on third the batter switches to the lefty box. Offensive coach throws a fit. It was all I could do not to pull the trigger. In the parking lot after the game I wanted to verify my call in allowing it.

The rule as has been stated is that he may not change once the pitcher is ready to pitch which is when he engages the rubber.

Why would the offensive coach throw a fit if HIS batter changed boxes?

Typo? or something I missed?

[Umpire in Chief]

good catch sorry defensive coach D'oh..

[Jeff C.]

I actually had this happen to me in a Pony game. Batter comes up as a righty. I don't remember the circumstance but the runner ended up on 3rd. Once on third the batter switches to the lefty box. Offensive coach throws a fit. It was all I could do not to pull the trigger. In the parking lot after the game I wanted to verify my call in allowing it.

The rule as has been stated is that he may not change once the pitcher is ready to pitch which is when he engages the rubber.

Same thing happened to me. Also in a Pony U12 game. heard an assistant coach question this and the head coach said no, the batter can do that. Go figure, a coach that knew a rule.