Out Of The Batters Box Before Pitch Makes It To The Plate?

[NorkDorf Entertainment]

A batter steps out of the box before the pitch makes it over the plate. What is the ruling on this? Do I call a flagrant strike? What is the right call when a batter jumps out of the box while the ball pitched by the pitcher?

[afaber12]

I think it depends on the ruleset. Someone else will have to talk about the others, but OBR 6.02b says he's not allowed to step out after the pitcher comes set or starts the windup. If he does and the pitcher pitches anyway, you call it a ball or strike as normal. As I said in another thread, you would probably not be alone if you expanded the zone for this pitch.

If the pitcher doesn't go through with the pitch in this situation, and otherwise commits what would otherwise be a balk, it's not called, the ball is dead and you start over.

[GreyhoundAggie]

Does he step out with both feet?

 

If he does in FED rules you can get two strikes on this scenario. One for the pitch, and one for the batter intentionally stepping out with both feet. Rule 6-2-4d

[maven]

What on earth is a "flagrant strike?" I'm envisioning something Leslie Nielsen would call...

 

The call depends on the rule set, but when the batter stands up or crouches down or moves away, taking away my frame of reference, everything starts to look like a strike....

[umpcoachfather]

Call the pitch, warn the batter. 

[NorkDorf Entertainment]

Warn the batter what? That if he steps out its a strike? 

[umpcoachfather]

Cause if he steps out and the pitcher holds up, mid motion, he's getting a Strike called. 

[NorkDorf Entertainment]

Cause if he steps out and the pitcher holds up, mid motion, he's getting a Strike called. 

Do you have a link to this ruling? 

[umpcoachfather]

at work no NFHS book, but if memory serves it's 7-3- X

[umpcoachfather]

or maybe 7-2

[Dash Riprock]

Does he step out with both feet?

 

If he does in FED rules you can get two strikes on this scenario. One for the pitch, and one for the batter intentionally stepping out with both feet. Rule 6-2-4d

The batter must delay the game to earn the 2nd strike.

[Dash Riprock]

 if memory serves it's 7-3- X

Where X=1.

[umpcoachfather]

7-3-1...The batter must keep at least one foot in the batter's box throughout the time at bat.
EXCEPTION: A better 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 a "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 five feet from the pitcher's plate after receiving the ball,
g. the catcher leaves the catcher's box to adjust his equipment or give defensive signals, or
h. the catcher does not catch the pitched ball.
PENALTY...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 remain live.
 

[NorkDorf Entertainment]

 

Does he step out with both feet?

 

If he does in FED rules you can get two strikes on this scenario. One for the pitch, and one for the batter intentionally stepping out with both feet. Rule 6-2-4d

The batter must delay the game to earn the 2nd strike.

 

Delay the game? Meaning? I had a batter once put up his hand to call time while the pitcher was in his motion to the plate, is that what you mean as delay the game? 

[noumpere]

 

 

Does he step out with both feet?

 

If he does in FED rules you can get two strikes on this scenario. One for the pitch, and one for the batter intentionally stepping out with both feet. Rule 6-2-4d

The batter must delay the game to earn the 2nd strike.

 

Delay the game? Meaning? I had a batter once put up his hand to call time while the pitcher was in his motion to the plate, is that what you mean as delay the game? 

 

No.

 

The rule used to be "if the batter steps out with both feet and none of the exceptions apply" charge a strike.  In addition, if the batter steps out even with one foot, and the pitcher throws, it's supposed to be an automatic strike in FED, no matter where the ball is (as opposed to OBR which is "call the pitch on its merits" -- even though as shown above most of us expand the zone a bit).  So, if the batter stepped out all the way, the rule used to be "charge two strikes -- one on the pitch and one for stepping out."

 

A few (well, many, now) years ago, they changed the rule to add "and delays the game" -- meaning the batter stays out of the box.

 

Unfortunately, they didn't go back and change all the of case plays that reference this.  But, most of the plays don't say whether the batter delays after stepping out.  And, so, those who don't know the history, think that we should still go ahead and charge two strikes.  Dash has it right -- and you can see the correct ruling in 7.3.1F and 5.2.1A.  In 6.2.4I (and any others), just assume that there was a delay.

[MRG9999]

Does he step out with both feet?

If he does in FED rules you can get two strikes on this scenario. One for the pitch, and one for the batter intentionally stepping out with both feet. Rule 6-2-4d

The batter must delay the game to earn the 2nd strike.

Delay the game? Meaning? I had a batter once put up his hand to call time while the pitcher was in his motion to the plate, is that what you mean as delay the game?

[MRG9999]

Really?? If batter calls time while pitcher is in motion no time is granted. The rule books are self explanatory.

[NorkDorf Entertainment]

Really?? If batter calls time while pitcher is in motion no time is granted. The rule books are self explanatory.

I didn't give him time but a strike since the pitch came straight down the middle. 

[MRG9999]

Correct call.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Toucs1977]

I don't grant time if the pitcher is in motion. If it's just before the pitch starts his motion I will.