Are you enforcing this?

[BrianC14]

The 'keep one foot in the batter's box' rule.

This is part of the speed-up rules.

Thoughts, please, as to when and how you handle this.

[bluesails]

Absolutely, I mention it at the plate meeting. I will remind batters when they step out,(unless it was a foul ball or a swinging strike). Occasionally will speak to coach between innings if it becomes an issue. Hitters get accustomed to it after a few games. Never had to issue a penalty. I think it helps keep the game moving......... game management is part of our responsibility.

[torquer]

The 'keep one foot in the batter's box' rule.

This is part of the speed-up rules.

Thoughts, please, as to when and how you handle this.

Plate meeting with coaches. Then after that Ill remind up to a point. Usually thats into the second inning. Then strikes get called and the issue is resolved.

Jess

[BT_Blue]

The 'keep one foot in the batter's box' rule.

This is part of the speed-up rules.

Thoughts, please, as to when and how you handle this.

Im actually surprised you have not used this before. Its been a POE for a while here in SoCal (though not officially) and has been one for NCAA for at least two years.

It does speed up the game as every second counts that the hitter doesnt try and pull a Nomar Garciappara (I know i spelled it wrong but honestly, who doesnt).

A simple "batter stay in the box" with a slight wave with your hand will do the job and will signal to everyone that is watching that they need to keep at least one foot in the box at all times.

The only exception would be on foul balls or instances when the batter would be right to step out of the box.

Let me put it this way. I worked a JuCo game yesterday where I had to remind batters at least once every other inning to stay in the box. If I didnt, with the other delays we had due to injuries, the game could have lasted 3:30 instead of the 2:40 it took to finish.

[mazzamouth]

I have been using this for awhile... I never say it at the Pregame.. I make it very quick pregame... !st few batters if they step out I tell them " Here We go"..."Dont leave the box".. and I will remind them that I will NOT let the pitcher quick pitch you. If you can do this to all your batters early in the season, it will help all of us umpires, speed up the game.

[BT_Blue]

I agree. I dont mention this at all during the pregame as it is something the coaches know about before the season as its is now a Point Of Emphasis in both FED and NCAA and is something that is talked about in the coaches meeting before the season.

[BrianC14]

Im actually surprised you have not used this before. Its been a POE for a while here in SoCal (though not officially) and has been one for NCAA for at least two years.

It does speed up the game as every second counts that the hitter doesnt try and pull a Nomar Garciappara (I know i spelled it wrong but honestly, who doesnt).

A simple "batter stay in the box" with a slight wave with your hand will do the job and will signal to everyone that is watching that they need to keep at least one foot in the box at all times.

The only exception would be on foul balls or instances when the batter would be right to step out of the box.

Let me put it this way. I worked a JuCo game yesterday where I had to remind batters at least once every other inning to stay in the box. If I didnt, with the other delays we had due to injuries, the game could have lasted 3:30 instead of the 2:40 it took to finish.


Where did I say I wasn't using it?

[MCLEOD36]

Bri,
I have heard guys (PU) , yell at players hustle in and hustle out to the dugouts. That I dont like, but I will do a stern "lets go batter". If they dont move, one more time and if slow, I go STRIKE. In JV FED, they limit us to 2 hours games, and I try like heck to get the 7 innings in during that time even on a nice Saturday morning. The pitches between ends also helps, dont let them linger, the batters keeping one foot in is the same. If you nip it early, like handing a rogue catcher you have no problems.

I did a darn JV game this Saturday, took one in the shoulder and one in the coconut. I said hey catch, what is the deal, he goes I didnt think it was a strike so I let it go. Oh, I delivered the message early after that....

[BrianC14]

Bri,
I have heard guys (PU) , yell at players hustle in and hustle out to the dugouts. That I dont like, but I will do a stern "lets go batter". If they dont move, one more time and if slow, I go STRIKE. In JV FED, they limit us to 2 hours games, and I try like heck to get the 7 innings in during that time even on a nice Saturday morning. The pitches between ends also helps, dont let them linger, the batters keeping one foot in is the same. If you nip it early, like handing a rogue catcher you have no problems.

I did a darn JV game this Saturday, took one in the shoulder and one in the coconut. I said hey catch, what is the deal, he goes I didnt think it was a strike so I let it go. Oh, I delivered the message early after that....

Agreed, I don't engage in that sort of thing "hustle in, hustle out..." if games are time-limited, then it's their time they're burning. If we get just 4 innings in and the coaches complain (and I have heard them do that) then I'll remind of the wasted time. On the rare occasions that I"ve worked a time-limit game, I usually remind the coaches at the plate conference about the time limit, and to keep "things" moving. That's it. I don't repeat it.

WRT to the batter staying in the box, I don't pick boogers over it, as most HS guys in my area tend to stay close in - if he takes a few steps, or if I perceive a delay, I'll say something like "Let's go" and that usually takes care of it. If that doesn't end it, then I'll have a chat with the HC after the inning. Having to do that has been very rare, though.

The reason I posted this thread is that it came up during a scrimmage this past Saturday, and one coach in particular was acting (and I do mean "acting") surprised at this "new rule" as he claimed it. Heh.

[Ozzy]

I do not understand why this is brought up at the plate meeting. Do you people stand there and recite the entire rule book, too?

This rule was to prevent the time wasting glove adjustments, cleat adjustments, meetings with the coach when you can't hit to start with and other distractions to the game.

[CoachJM]

I concur with Ozzy.

I would no sooner bring this up at the plate conference than I would the thing about 4 balls and 3 strikes.

The rule is a "pace of game" tool for the umpire to use should the need arise.

If you set the tone regarding pace of play from the moment you approach the field, the need will likely not arise.

If it does, use the tool - judiciously, pre-emptively, and courteously.

JM

[torquer]

I do not understand why this is brought up at the plate meeting. Do you people stand there and recite the entire rule book, too?

This rule was to prevent the time wasting glove adjustments, cleat adjustments, meetings with the coach when you can't hit to start with and other distractions to the game.


Man I don't know how things get blown out of shape so easily. Many coaches don't listen at the state clinics. Secondly most MS JV coaches are new every year. You guys make it sound like there is a reciting of Scripture at the plate meeting. A gentle reminder helps them to train their players. I personally don't do this at higher level ball. Nuff said about stepping out of the box.

Jess

[BT_Blue]

Where did I say I wasn't using it?

Sorry, I took the heading of the posts as asking "does anyone enforce this?" as in "I dont but was wondering if anyone else does".

[BrianC14]

I do not understand why this is brought up at the plate meeting. Do you people stand there and recite the entire rule book, too?

This rule was to prevent the time wasting glove adjustments, cleat adjustments, meetings with the coach when you can't hit to start with and other distractions to the game.

You don't understand why what is brought up at the plate meeting?

The one foot rule? I see only one response (bluesails) that said he mentions this at the plate meeting. I sure don't. If my plate meetings take more than 90 seconds, I start getting antsy.

The time limit? I usually mention/remind of the time limit, as the games I'm in are tournaments with teams traveling in from all over. It takes about 4.5 seconds to say, "Gentlemen, the game has a 1 hour 45 minute time limit. Let's keep things moving." I include this because it's not a baseball rule.

[Ozzy]

You don't understand why what is brought up at the plate meeting?

The one foot rule? I see only one response (bluesails) that said he mentions this at the plate meeting. I sure don't. If my plate meetings take more than 90 seconds, I start getting antsy.

The time limit? I usually mention/remind of the time limit, as the games I'm in are tournaments with teams traveling in from all over. It takes about 4.5 seconds to say, "Gentlemen, the game has a 1 hour 45 minute time limit. Let's keep things moving." I include this because it's not a baseball rule.
Brian, you did not state that you include this in your plate meeting (the one foot rule). Time limits (if you deal with them) have to be addressed as time limits could change the outcome of the game. I was referring to the growing number of posters that feel they need to quote the entire rulebook at the plate meeting.

[mazzamouth]

. A gentle reminder helps them to train their players. I personally don't do this at higher level ball. Nuff said about stepping out of the box.

Jess


you shouldn't do this at the lower levels either. That is the coaches job. you are there to call a game and enforce the rule, if something happens and the coach dont know, its not your fault.

[mstaylor]

I agree with the majority, Don't remind coaches of baseball rules at a plate meeting. Short and sweet, play ball. I do agree you have to mention time limits, though.