Never heard this one before.

[Lisa Moses Roberts]

Ok so were playing a middle school game. Our next batter was slow getting up to bat well the umpire got mad and told the pitcher to pitch the ball before the batter was all the way in the box and the ball was over her head but the umpire called it a stike she said she needed to hurry and get in the batters box next time? Never heard of this before.

 

[Lozza]

If the umpire feels the batter is too slow he can call a strike, but I didn't think the pitcher had to pitch it to get it called.

It can also happen the other way too.

 

[MTR]

The ruling is correct, the method of application is not only wrong, but unsafe.

The umpire simply needs to rule a strike and start the clock again on the batter. The umpire should NEVER allow a pitcher to deliver the ball unless everyone in the plate area, catcher, batter AND umpire, are prepared for it.

 

[shockcoach]

As MTR mentions, the umpire did not correctly apply the rule.

RULE 7, SECTION 3 BATTING INFRACTIONS

ART. 1 . . . A batter shall not delay the game by failing to promptly take her
position in the batter's box within 10 seconds after the ball is returned to the
pitcher to prepare for the next pitch, or by stepping out of the box when the pitcher
is on the pitcher's plate.

PENALTY: (Art. 1) If a pitcher has brought the hands together, the batter leaves
the box at the risk of having a strike called while being out of position. For failure
of the batter to be ready within 10 seconds after the ball has been returned
to the pitcher, the umpire shall call a strike. If it is the third strike, the umpire
shall call time and declare the batter out.

Rule 6-2-4-b also says the batter must be in position before a pitcher pitcher, else a ball is awarded to the batter. The umpire needs to be educated on how to apply the rules.

 

[BretMan]

There is precious little in life to get truly "mad" about..and a batter taking a little too long to get to the plate in a youth softball game is waaay down the list.

If they're taking too long, simply direct the batter to get into the box. If she does not comply within ten seconds, just call a penalty strike. (No actual pitch needs to be thrown- and shouldn't be. You don't want a pitch flying around when the players don't have their full attention on it. It's not safe!)

But for an umpire to "get mad" about this? No way. Just tell them to get in the box and then enforce the rule if they don't.