You can't call what you can not see and be sure of. If there is no way for me to be able to see, I can't call it unless I am certain.
That said - the box doesn't magically go away because the lines aren't there. While I can't 'imagine' a line perfectly, if the player is CLEARLY outside the box at contact and it is blatant (like stepping on a plate or being a way in front of the box at contact) I will make the call. But I will need to be REAL certain. You don't make calls up - either it happened or it didn't. In one of the old ASA case books I believe it even addressed it as 'best judgment' and any doubt err of the side of the batter.
You can't call what you can not see and be sure of. If there is no way for me to be able to see, I can't call it unless I am certain.
That said - the box doesn't magically go away because the lines aren't there. While I can't 'imagine' a line perfectly, if the player is CLEARLY outside the box at contact and it is blatant (like stepping on a plate or being a way in front of the box at contact) I will make the call. But I will need to be REAL certain. You don't make calls up - either it happened or it didn't. In one of the old ASA case books I believe it even addressed it as 'best judgment' and any doubt err of the side of the batter.
I wouldn't be too happy about the elbow thrown at first base.
I wouldn't be too happy about the elbow thrown at first base.
Jeepers - this is like a freakin' training video. So much happening in a few seconds. Look at what happens at 3rd too..