NCAA No Longer Enforcing Foot Out Of Box

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May 29, 2019
269
63
Slapping is a unique and exciting part of the softball game. Why did "they" decide to implement or enforce this rule in the first place? What problem was it trying to solve? Since it was implemented, seems that for home plate umpires the rule is very difficult to enforce or to enforce consistently. Why not just get rid of it and go back to the old way?
The rule change was a solution to a problem that didn't exist. The only thing that resulted from the change was to make it more difficult for the umpire to make this call. As a result, now you see this being called very inconsistently.
 

radness

Possibilities & Opportunities!
Dec 13, 2019
7,270
113
Stay in the box!
Whats the big deal...
Train correctly!

Cant be ok to say step east/west out of the box toward a curve or screw.

Cant be ok to step foward out of box gaining ground toward first base.

Cant step backwards out of box toward the catcher.

Its similar to umpire calling foul ball or not when ball is on the line. Or bounces over 1st or 3rd base.

Theres other similar calls most dont see but from directly behind the plate.

*BATTER LEANING IN TO THE RIVER GETTING HIT BY PITCH.
Not supposed to be awarded 1st but thats another judgement.

Really easily could say calling balls or strikes are judgement calls.

Its what the umpire does!

From catching viewpoint....can see the feet of batters.

Oh .... dont forget about the pitching lines on the sides of the rubber coming forward where the foot HAS to land....
Just sayin'
 

marriard

Not lost - just no idea where I am
Oct 2, 2011
4,312
113
Florida
Slapping is a unique and exciting part of the softball game. Why did "they" decide to implement or enforce this rule in the first place? What problem was it trying to solve? Since it was implemented, seems that for home plate umpires the rule is very difficult to enforce or to enforce consistently. Why not just get rid of it and go back to the old way?

It really isn't a slapper rule per se. The rule is in baseball as well.

The idea is that a batter has to be in the batters box to hit and can't get an advantage by not being in the box and allowing a pitcher room to throw an inside pitch without hitting the batter.

The problem is that the rule wasn't any better the other way either.
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
Slapping is a unique and exciting part of the softball game. Why did "they" decide to implement or enforce this rule in the first place? What problem was it trying to solve? Since it was implemented, seems that for home plate umpires the rule is very difficult to enforce or to enforce consistently. Why not just get rid of it and go back to the old way?

Speculation ... while it may make it easier to catch, more than likely they felt the slappers were getting too much of an advantage (when they got away with it)?

Old rule: foot must be completely OUTSIDE the lines
New rule: foot cannot TOUCH the line

If you believe they changed it for umpires, then: As has been pointed out, it is difficult for an umpire to watch this and the pitch at the same time. It is easier to catch a foot touching a line than determining if it was completely outside the line.

If you believe they changed it to reign in slappers, then: Shortening the approach they are allowed to take will reduce instances (called or not called) of slappers getting an extra step outside the box.
 
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
Stay in the box!
Whats the big deal...
Train correctly!

Cant be ok to say step east/west out of the box toward a curve or screw.

Cant be ok to step foward out of box gaining ground toward first base.

Cant step backwards out of box toward the catcher.

Its similar to umpire calling foul ball or not when ball is on the line. Or bounces over 1st or 3rd base.

Theres other similar calls most dont see but from directly behind the plate.

*BATTER LEANING IN TO THE RIVER GETTING HIT BY PITCH.
Not supposed to be awarded 1st but thats another judgement.

Really easily could say calling balls or strikes are judgement calls.

Its what the umpire does!

From catching viewpoint....can see the feet of batters.

Oh .... dont forget about the pitching lines on the sides of the rubber coming forward where the foot HAS to land....
Just sayin'


And don't draw lines as a batter. Easy. ;)
 
Aug 30, 2015
286
28
Speculation ... while it may make it easier to catch, more than likely they felt the slappers were getting too much of an advantage (when they got away with it)?
Old rule: foot must be completely OUTSIDE the lines
New rule: foot cannot TOUCH the line
Actually, the line is part of the box, so if the foot is on the line, it's good. It's when the foot steps barely outside the line is considered out. This makes it more difficult to see.

And this is just for NCAA, not other sanctions.
 
Sep 29, 2014
2,421
113
Yeah it's any part touching outside think that was just typo on Man's part. The Florida State call was actually made by the field umpire with a runner on. It is really easy for that umpire to make the call when the batter steps in front of the plate as was the case on this call the plate of such an easy landmark and its super obvious when your foot is in front of it.
 
Feb 20, 2019
109
28
Almost all calls I've seen over the last 2 years have been no doubt about it calls. Question: Is it that hard for slappers to stay legal or do they just try to push the limits?

Yes, it is pretty hard to keep your eye on a fast approaching ball while moving your feet forward and keeping your hands and bat back. Additionally, most pitchers will pitch slappers to the outside part of the plate, making it even more difficult to keep from stepping towards 3rd on your approach.

For those that doubt the level of difficulty, take a 4-foot balance bean into the batting cage with you and take a normal one-step swing and see how many times you fall off the beam.
 
Last edited:
May 29, 2015
3,731
113
Actually, the line is part of the box, so if the foot is on the line, it's good. It's when the foot steps barely outside the line is considered out. This makes it more difficult to see.

And this is just for NCAA, not other sanctions.

Whoops ... thank you @4KidsDad and @djcarter1966 ... I omitted "outside" (and adding some clarification below).

Should have said

Old rule: foot must be COMPLETELY outside the lines in order to be called out
New rule: any part of the foot touching outside the lines = batter will be called out

And yes, JUST NCAA.
 
Apr 20, 2017
152
28
The worst part of this rule to me is there not be a constant line throughout the game. With the old rule it was a wide margin to have entire foot out. But with it being any part of foot out and after a few innings there is not a good line.
 
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