When does the batter have to get in the box?

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Nov 13, 2017
10
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We as coaches have always told our batters to not get in the box until the pitcher is on the rubber in order to avoid getting stagnant while waiting for the pitcher to get the sign. Had a USFA tournament this weekend where the umpire stated the batter had 10 seconds to get in the box whether the pitcher is on the rubber or not?

Is he correct?
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
The batter has 10 seconds to get into the box after being instructed to do so by the umpire. There is no requirement for the pitcher to take position on the pitching plate prior to the batter entering the box, the only requirement on the pitcher is they have 20 seconds to deliver the pitch after receiving the ball. But, if there is no batter in the box they cant deliver the pitch.

In USA softball, the batter is suppose to keep 1 foot in the box between pitches. Most pitchers will deliver the ball in 12-14 seconds after receiving the ball. Unless you have umpires that are not enforcing the 20 second limit on pitchers the batter should not be stagnant waiting on the pitcher.
 
Aug 23, 2016
359
43
In USA softball, the batter is suppose to keep 1 foot in the box between pitches. Most pitchers will deliver the ball in 12-14 seconds after receiving the ball. Unless you have umpires that are not enforcing the 20 second limit on pitchers the batter should not be stagnant waiting on the pitcher.

What's the penalty for not keeping one foot in the box? This summer we saw one ump "warn" a team over and over and over again but without any penalties the team didn't seem to feel the need to comply. (These girls would step out, take 3-5 practice swings, then get back in the box and set up.) It slowed the game to a crawl and the pitcher had a hard time developing a good rhythm.
 
Last edited:
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
I think the pentaly is a called strike, I have never seen it enforced, sounds like in your game I might have tried. Honestly I do not ever recall it being an Issue.

In USA softball, the batter is suppose to keep 1 foot in the box between pitches. Most pitchers will deliver the ball in 12-14 seconds after receiving the ball. Unless you have umpires that are not enforcing the 20 second limit on pitchers the batter should not be stagnant waiting on the pitcher.

DD plays USA so mostly know those rules, I thought all organization's had this rule? HS for example?
 
Last edited:
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
USA is the only rule set I am aware of that requires the batter to keep one foot in the box. I'm not particularly a fan of the rule, if the batter isn't delaying the game then why force them to keep a foot in the box. The rule states if the batter leaves the batters box and delays the game the umpire can issue a penalty strike with the key word being if they delay the game.
 

MTR

Jun 22, 2008
3,438
48
USA is the only rule set I am aware of that requires the batter to keep one foot in the box. I'm not particularly a fan of the rule, if the batter isn't delaying the game then why force them to keep a foot in the box. The rule states if the batter leaves the batters box and delays the game the umpire can issue a penalty strike with the key word being if they delay the game.

Actually, MLB has the same requirement:

(4) (6.02(d)) The Batter’s Box Rule
(A) The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter’s
box throughout the batter’s time at bat, unless one of
the following exceptions applies, in which case the
batter may leave the batter’s box but not the dirt area
surrounding home plate:
(i) The batter swings at a pitch;
(ii) An attempted check swing is appealed to a
base umpire;
(iii) The batter is forced off balance or out of the
batter’s box by a pitch;
(iv) A member of either team requests and is
granted “Time”;
(v) A defensive player attempts a play on a runner
at any base;
(vi) The batter feints a bunt;
2017 Official Baseball Rules_2017 Official Baseball Rules 3/27/17 8:58 PM Page 20
Rule 5.04(b) to 5.04(c)
21
(vii) A wild pitch or passed ball occurs;
(viii) The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching
mound after receiving the ball; or
(ix) The catcher leaves the catcher’s box to give
defensive signals.
If the batter intentionally leaves the batter’s box and
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
I was actually going to say MLB had the rule, but I hate mixing baseball in with softball. And for the most part the rule seems to be ignored in MLB lately, think Ive only seen it enforced 2 or 3 times at most.
 

2br02b

Trabant swing
Jul 25, 2017
303
43
NSA rule is 10 seconds after ump calls "play ball". First infraction - a warning with a called strike, then if the player does it again on a subsequent at bat - she is called out. Harsh - never seen that called.
 

TMD

Feb 18, 2016
433
43
and then there's this...not against the rules (outside of USA rule set), but would drive me crazy.

 

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