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Online now: 7 members: Eazy, FireCrackerFun, O.T. Louden, TABLE SETTER 11, TonyA, softball4b, woodies1023; 108 anonymousDiscussion: Why is this rule not enforced??
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| Oct. 19, 2015 tugboat 39 posts | Why is this rule not enforced?? With the advantage already given to the offense with the bats and balls that are being used. Is it really necessary for the batters box to be abused because the umpires don't want to enforce the rule. Not having a chalk batters box is a copout used by the umpires! A bat is 34 inches long and is ready available to draw a line 36 inches wide. 1.5 • BATTER'S BOX The batter's box is the 3-foot by 7-foot area to which the batter is restricted. The lines are considered as being within the batter's box. At least some portion of both feet of the batter must be on the line or within the batter’s box. (See §7.3) 7.3 • BATTING POSITION A. The batter must have at least some portion of both feet on or inside the lines of the batter's box at the start of the pitch. A batter who steps out of the batter’s box at any time during the pitch and then hits the ball, fair or foul, shall be called out. Steps out means touching the ground completely outside of the lines of the batter’s box. (See §1.5) B. The batter must take his position within ten seconds after being directed by the umpire. EFFECT: The umpire will call a strike. No pitch has to be thrown and the ball is dead. C. The batter shall not step directly in front of the catcher to the other batter's box while the pitcher is in position to pitch. EFFECT: The ball is dead, the batter is out and the runners may not advance. 7.3(1) • OBLITERATING THE BATTER’S BOX A batter, in the umpire's judgment, deliberately erasing any portion of the batters box will be called out. A second offense by the same player will result in the player’s ejection from the game. |
| Oct. 19, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | tugboat ... The batter's box provisions are SUPPOSED to be enforced literally, and MOST umpires do a reasonable job of it ... But not ALL, unfortunately ... Check back here next week after Session #4 of the World Masters and you will likely be able to read about all of the "bad calls" for batters being called out for being out of the box ... This is a standard mantra after teams play at Big League Dreams, where the carpet batters' box lines can't be wiped out by the first couple of batters, or any other ones! ... And the usual complaints of the batters' boxes being the wrong size, not properly positioned and unfair to the batters are all FALSE ... I will be the Field Director at Lorenzi Park and can assure you it will be an "area of emphasis" for umpires working there, even if the umpires have to re-draw the front and inside lines with a bat after every batter ... The Field Director at BLD is also insistent on compliance and I suspect his umpires will hear similar directives for enforcement ... |
| Oct. 19, 2015 kstod 9 posts | Really. Slow pitch softball and we got players concerned about the batters box. Better yet we got directors who's point of emphasis will be to make sure his crews make that call. Makes sense. No umpire who has any sense of the game will ever make that call nor wants to be part of the discussion. Unless is so obvious most good umpires and great directors will shy away from this conflict. Thank you for allowing us to always avoid any future play at Lorenzi Park. |
| Oct. 19, 2015 tugboat 39 posts | Yes slow pitch softball has rules. What is the real need to stand outside of the batters box? Does it make it easier for you to hit an inside pitch to the opposite field or back up the middle??? Are you trying to eliminate the impact of pitching??? Batters have every advantage in the game and they are the biggest complainers about rules! Why have a pitcher, why not just hit off a tee, then you can stand wherever you please???? |
| Oct. 19, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Don't sweat it Tugboat ... That's just pre-tourney posturing to try to gain a little edge ... Generally, the pitcher is at risk when batters are allowed to shorten the distance to the pitcher by stepping out front and the same is true at lunging in front and across the plate, where the primary flight path is many times back up the middle ... We'll attempt to enforce it reasonably and consistently, the rest should take care of itself! ... This ain't my first rodeo! ... |
| Oct. 19, 2015 DCPete 409 posts | You should really be careful what you wish for. If the Umpires start staring at the batters feet every time they swing they'll miss runners leaving their base early, or worse they might not see whether a hard ground ball hit down either line is fair or foul. That'll make for some heated arguments . . . |
| Oct. 20, 2015 kstod 9 posts | Did someone actually state that this effects the impact of pitching? Lets see the last I checked they were still throwing it underhand and you didnt need a helmet and mouthpiece to play this game. I believe it still has an arc somewhere between 6-12 foot in height. If the pitcher really wants to get crazy he can throw the 3 seam churchleague back spin or create that 7 mph knuckle hoping its into the teeth of the wind so that it has some movement. DC Pete well stated. First and foremost for an ump to make that a point of empahasis does he really know if his foot was planted or was it in the air when the ball was struck. Again the most obvious if I guy takes 6 steps out ( and we as players know what Im saying). Otherwise play ball. Call balls and strikes and keep your game running smoothly. I challenge all upmpires across the country to stay as far away from this controversy as possible. It was great in Vegas where I saw the umpire call both teams over and any thought of calling a guy beyond the line was waived decided by both teams. Great rule.. As for Mr. Dowell, sir your explanation of trying to justify the distance between the pitcher and your theory of primary flight paths is nuts. Its slow pitch softball and 90% of the people who swing the bats know exactly where they want and location of where that ball will go. So my thought would be to stick with riding horses. People who have played for 35 years dont want to be involved with these types of calls while playing... |
| Oct. 20, 2015 wagon487 Men's 55 578 posts | kstod, you do need a helmet to pitch in SSUSA |
| Oct. 20, 2015 kstod 9 posts | I was referencing in humor the hitter sir and how Tugboat was referring to the impact of pitching in slow pitch softball. There is no impact of pitching in slow pitch softball other than USSSA with 3-6 and lots of dancing allowed. 6-12 foot arc that has to hit a mat. Have a great day sir. Again I dont disagree with the rule if it its absolutely so visible to everyone. But to place a point of emphasis to all your umpires to "WATCH THOSE LINES" is just taking it a bit too far for my taste and alot of others including many umpires.. |
| Oct. 20, 2015 curty Men's 60 187 posts | any umpire that "waives" a rule for any reason, or fails to enforce a rule should not be on the field. What if both teams agree to not use the foul lines? And this can go anywhere. I have umped for over 35 years, in 4 associations, and I would be very uncomfortable with teams telling me what rules they will play by. |
| Oct. 20, 2015 Mac33 20 posts | I was called out at BLD in Vegas for having my lead foot out of the box by about 8 inches. I do not take the steps from the back or run up on a ball. Since the front of the plate is a strike I found it necessary to put my front foot in front of the plate to hit that line drive pitch that hits the very front of the plate. If the plate wasn't a strike I would move back in the box. I had someone tape me when I hit the next few times up and sure enough my foot was out by an average of six inches. Not one time did I run up. It was simply my 604 body taking a long stride. The last time up I went back in the box so my stride would stay in. The pitcher threw every pitch so that it hit the front of the plate. My point is that I am under the impression that since the plate is a strike shouldn't the batters box reflect some more room in the front of the box. Just my opinion. I talked to several teams at BLD who were playing at Fenway and there had to be at least 8 called out that I know of. I have seen guys run up in the box and be clearly out of the box but who cares. I play third and I get some rockets hit at me. I don't have gear on like the pitchers do and I could care less that someones foot is out by two inches or a foot. |
| Oct. 20, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Here's the "issue" for everyone, umpires, teams and directors alike ... Umpire "A" defines his own range of rule non-compliance, no matter how broad ... Umpire "B" in the next game has a different range, possibly a zero tolerance one, but in any event, a different one ... As soon as Umpire "B" makes the "correct call" per the rules, someone is in his face about it, and he's the "jerk" ... Actually Umpire "A" is the one who set him up unfairly, but seldom does anyone remember that part of the situation, except to point out what an idiot Umpire "B" must be ... Good luck everyone! ... Have fun and play safely ... |
| Oct. 20, 2015 Mac33 20 posts | Dave, I guess I am looking for a response on the batters box when the plate is a strike. Am I wrong to assume that the box should be adjusted forward because the plate is a strike? Seems like a reasonable thing to assume since we have expanded the strike zone to include the plate. Not trying to start a controversy but maybe you can clear up that issue. |
| Oct. 20, 2015 STL0 Men's 60 231 posts | This pretty simple. If you step out of the box and get called out, no complaining and no exceptions. It's the rule. |
| Oct. 20, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Mac33 ... No controversy perceived here! ... Thanks for commenting ... Yes, we hear that theory/argument frequently about the front-edge-strike scenario ... The batters want to be able to move forward and "protect" the plate and the pitchers want to have some small sliver of an "unhittable area" to target to bring the offense/defense balance closer to their side ... I suspect the matter may come up at this year's Rules Committee sessions at the Annual Convention in Reno, but until then, the wise directors will be preaching rule-book compliance to their umpire crews ... The difficulty will be in going to any non-standard batters' box, or non-standard placement of same, particularly in permanent installation situations, like the various Big League Dreams, Golden Eagle in Sparks and similar sites ... But to look at reality here, I'm not sure you can "count to seven" in the 13-member Rules Committee to pass a rules amendment that allows batters to legally move closer to the pitcher's box ... |
| Oct. 20, 2015 tg69 393 posts | Dave, you have allowed pitchers to move 10/ 15 ft. behind the pitching rubber without penalty. Whats the difference? |
| Oct. 20, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Hi Tom ... Pitchers may legally deliver the pitch from anywhere within the Pitcher's Box, a 2' x 10' (not 15') rectangle with the front edge at the 50' pitching distance ... The requirements for both the batter and the pitcher are to "do their thing" within a rule-defined area ... There is no inconsistency in that approach ... |
| Oct. 20, 2015 tg69 393 posts | so your saying all fields are lined with a batters box and a pitchers box .Hum, not where Ive been playing.I'm not a pitcher nor do I want to be and I don't blame them for wanting to be as far away from these missile launchers (senior bats) as possible.Use a pitching screen or do away with senior bats if your worried about a batter being 8 inches too close.JMO |
| Oct. 20, 2015 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | Interesting discussion, but moot point. The box is the box. In a previous life I umpired a lot and even did my stint as Chief Umpire. It always amazed me that players/parents/coaches found certain rules they wanted me disregard because they thought they did not make sense. The reason a batter runs up or stays back in the box is to hit a pitch in their preferred swing arch/zone. Regardless of height or weight, I have seen 6'9" hitters stay in the box and hit pitches and I have also seen 5'6" hitters almost always out of the box. Bottom-line hitters learn to hit their pitch when it is there or learn how to hit the pitcher's pitch. Difference is, you may not get the result you wanted, but you optimize the opportunity that presents itself. The most difficult batters for pitchers to face is the batter does not care if it is a strike or ball. If he can reach it, he will hit it and be happy with the result. |
| Oct. 20, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Tom ... I don't recall (and can't seem to find) a statement to the effect about all fields being lined ... But where they are lined, it should make this particular rule enforcement issue pretty easy to apply! ... Like at Big League Dreams in Las Vegas this week ... Where batters'/pitcher's boxes may not be lined (or lined incorrectly), that places an increased burden on the umpire(s) to manage the game within the spirit of the rules ... Regardless, softball4b has pretty well nailed it ... "Grab a bat and go hit" ... |
| Oct. 20, 2015 DCPete 409 posts | To better answer Mac's question, per the SSUSA Rule Book, the front line of the batter's box should be 39 1/2" in front of the front edge of home plate. If the lines aren't there, no umpire on earth no matter how experienced, could tell if the batter's foot was a legal 39" in front of home plate or an illegal 40" in front. (and even when the chalk lines are still visible, they are very often not placed at these exact specifications so umpires enforcing this rule under these conditions are making a mockery of the game) |
| Oct. 20, 2015 tg69 393 posts | Dave, I don't recall(and didn't see in softball4b)where he said grab a bat and go hit. Maybe I just cant seem to read into things like you can. Smoke another cig and relax!!!! |
| Oct. 20, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | OK, let's make it simple ... So long as the batters' box rules are in the book, we're going to enforce them ... And we'll also enforce any other rules that may be there, even ones you may not like ... Come on out to the National Convention in Reno in December and state your case in front of the National Rules Committee if you'd like changes made ... Or submit identifiable (as to you) correspondence by snail mail or email ahead of time ... The Committee considers everything we receive, and all you have to do is count to two (for a motion and a second) for a formal consideration, then count to seven (of the 13 votes on the Committee) to get change enacted ... Should be a pretty easy concept to grasp! ... |
| Oct. 20, 2015 garyheifner 649 posts | This is a very simple fix. Get rid of--eliminate the batters box. It is just pretty lines that are gone in 2-3 innings. Even in the Masters in Vegas, the box was obviously smaller than specs at our field. I use my bat to measure how far I stand from the plate and my normal measurement would have placed me outside the box that was laid down. EXCEPT for the front line. Keep this to keep the batter back from the pitcher. It does not matter where you stand. When you use a mat, the batter must defend the mat so he has to be close enough to defend that mat. Some of you make it sound like that without the box, guys are going to stand 5 feet from the mat or 10 feet behind it??? I don't get it. Furthermore, why should it be an out when the batters foot steps in front of the plate or touches the plate in his stride. I am seen so many dozen of batters do this, I have only seen an out called one time. All that is needed is for a batter to be on one side or the other when the ball is pitched. I would like SSUSA let TDs try not using a lined box in some of the early qualifiers next 2016 season and get feed back. If it works out, put in the rule for the bigger tournaments later in the season. |
| Oct. 20, 2015 tg69 393 posts | Dave, now that's better.See how much better you feel after another pack. |
| Oct. 20, 2015 Bob50 Men's 60 242 posts | I think the issue is obviously when the lines of the batters box late in a game disappear or in later games in some tournaments when the lines aren't redrawn. Under these circumstances although, by necessity, the rule still relies on the umpires subjective opinion, add this addendum to the rule "In the absence of lines the benefit of the doubt runs to the batter." Therefore batters that without a doubt are outside the box when contact is made are still called out but umpires shouldn't be expected to know exactly where the 39.5 inch line in front of the plate should be and the benefit of the doubt is given to the hitter. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 tugboat 39 posts | The umpire can easily draw a line that is 36". Bats are 34" long and readily available. With no batters box, there is no such thing as an inside or outside pitch. Simple solution use a tee and remove the pitcher. See where the batter stands if he has to hit off of a tee. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 grayhitter59 Men's 60 345 posts | Tugboat, I agree with the batter box as you stated inside and outside pitches, but with the front and back I don not. One simple reason these lines are made up for standard play, senior softball play home plate is a strike. So now the front of the box is shorter because of the plate being a strike, lots of call outs due for stepping forward towards the pitcher in field of dreams. Not correct, just my opinion. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 joel 1975 131 posts | gary I agree if the plates a strike front line should be futher up |
| Oct. 21, 2015 joel 1975 131 posts | dave if your going to inforce the rule shouldn't there be a line in the front of the box along with the other three.the ump said it was his game and he didn't want a front line. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 TimMcElroy 942 posts | Most of us have played ball for a long time using a wide variety of rules, arch limits, etc. When rules change, we adjust. I don't understand why this batter's box issue is any different. Make whatever adjustment you need to, but learn how to defend the entire strike zone without breaking the established batter's box rules. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 SSUSA Staff 3490 posts | And just for the "forward thinking" types, don't forget this little tidbit from page 40 the Rule Book ... §7.3(1) • OBLITERATING THE BATTER’S BOX A batter, in the umpire's judgment, deliberately erasing any portion of the batters box will be called out. A second offense by the same player will result in the player’s ejection from the game. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 chico senior Men's 60 134 posts | SSUSA Staff - I have never seen a player called out for wiping out the lines. This rule (law) is kind of like the bike helmet law. It is never enforced so why have it. I'm not disagreeing withe the rule but if it is never enforced and then maybe one time in a big game it is enforced there will be a total blow up. My personal feeling is just about everything in Senior Softball is geared to the advantage of the offense. Hot bats, hot balls, batters box violations not called on a regular basis. Start calling on a regular basis the rules that are already in the book and it will make for a better and safer game. Letting a batter run up and out of the box is putting infielders, especially pitchers, in danger. I can't believe that SSUSA or any other organization puts up with umpires that only enforce the rules that they, the umpires, think are important. If I was a tournament director there would be zero tolerance for those that go in that direction. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 softball4b Men's 70 1248 posts | Just get a stick and hit. Rules are Rules, Actions are Facts. You can either play or talk. If you ain't cheating, you ain't trying. Everybody else does it. Rules, I don't need no stinking rules. Not in my back yard. Rising tides raise all ships. Good is the downfall of great. Hit and sit. Use the Force, Luke. Can't we all just get along. I want my mommy. Yes Dear. It is in the mail. And when it is all said and done. PLAY BALL. Mike Adair Joe Brown's All-Stars |
| Oct. 21, 2015 taits Men's 65 4548 posts | If rules are not enforced then IMO, the players are not getting what they paid for on and\at all levels. Concsistancy, especially within the scope of these post have\has always been a problem. Yet while some are unstandable many are not. ExMPLES: Judgement calls are the latter, Eracing a line is not. I have only seen one player warned about oblitering a box line over the years. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 Garocket Men's 55 259 posts | Enforcing the box to me is very important. As a pitcher for over 20 years I can tell you it is very important. Why should the batter get all the breaks. If a pitcher does not pitch it 6 foot high or over 12 he gets penalized. But the batter can get out of the batters box and that is ok? I know if there is a box it lets me work batters to my advantage. I know that with 2 strikes I can pitch to that low inside corner and hope to either get a grounder to the 3rd baseman or a foul out. Keep the power hitter low and him hitting a grounder is a better percentage pitch. But without a box he will step up so the pitch will be up in his power zone, when he is out of the box to hit bombs. The box was put in to level the playing field to the pitcher, just like the 6-12 foot arc was put in to level the playing field back to the batter. When one is enforced and not the other that puts a team to a disadvantage. When you do not enforce one rule because some batters do not like it or is hard to enforce, that is BS. I do not like the rule that a ball that tips off the glove and goes over is a 4 base error. That keeps a good defensive player from trying to make a great play at the fence. But it is a rule so I live with it. Any one that thinks the batters box rule is a bad rule is not a good hitter. A good hitter can hit pitches that are not his best position for a hit. Maybe not a homerun, like he would if he takes 1 step or 2 and be out of the box that marginal pitch becomes a meat pitch. Hell every body can hit meat pitches. The good hitters can hit marginal pitches when it is late in the count and he has to put it in play. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 chico senior Men's 60 134 posts | I agree 100 percent with Garochet. Slo-pitch softball for the most part is an offensive game, but, you should not reward poor hitters by giving them the advantage of stepping out of the box to give them a pitch in their happy zone. Learn to hit all types of pitches with any count. Those are the hitters I fear the most. The bottom line is if the batter is gaining an advantage by breaking the rules then they should be punished. Don't reward cheating or stretching of the rules! |
| Oct. 21, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | To quote Wm. Shakespeare, this is "Much ado about nothing" ... Batters will stay in the box or they won't ... And that will have a direct correlation on whether they get called out or not ... No worries! |
| Oct. 21, 2015 chico senior Men's 60 134 posts | Actually, that is not entirely true. There are far too many umpires out there that will call what they deem to be important and disregard other rules. Most SSUSA umpires are good, some even great. Sadly, there are others that are poor. They don't hustle, get confrontational, and decide on their own what rules that they will enforce. Even more sadly, most of these umpires continue to work SSUSA tournaments year after year. Good umpires will listen to and sometimes even agree with a rational coach where as the poor umpire will get all up in the same rational coaches face and not listen at all. Thank God, most of SSUSA umpires do not fall into that category. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 JT25 Men's 50 54 posts | I'm in all for the batter box rules being enforced, but the batter box is to small it needs to be 8 ft long and 4 feet wide. I'm 6'3" and 230 lbs and I feel like I'm in little league when I step in the batters box. Also my reach is longer than most of the seniors I play with....so make it bigger!!!!.. Lol.. I'm one of those players who like run out the lines because it's just to small!!! |
| Oct. 21, 2015 chico senior Men's 60 134 posts | I'm also 6'3" and I have no problem staying in the batters box. That I can remember, I have only been called out once in 50 years playing slo-pitch softball for stepping out of the box. I work very hard with being able to hit any pitch in a positive manner. Give the pitcher a break and work at it! Practice hitting what you consider to be bad pitches in BP. The people who only hit perfect pitches in BP are the same people who want to enlarge the batters box. This is my opinion but I can back it up with stats. I work hard at it! I feel confident enough to be able to handle any pitch in any situation and put solid contact on the pitch. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 Tim Millette 615 posts | We had five different versions of the batters box rule at 50 worlds... It's amazing when the answer is so easy....there is the box...if your foot is entirely out of it when you hit the ball you are OUT. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 chico senior Men's 60 134 posts | Agree! |
| Oct. 21, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Now, if they can just assign me a group of umpires that agree and will be CONSISTENT in application, we'll have a Grand Ol' Time in LV with the 40-Masters! Good luck, everybody! |
| Oct. 21, 2015 DCPete 409 posts | Guess the ump is standing too far away from the mound so the rules for staying inside the Pitcher's box will Never be enforced . . . |
| Oct. 21, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Actually, DCPete, there's a really simple fix for that ... I ask the grounds crew to extend the horizontal back line of the Pitcher's Box about two or three feet on either side so the umpires have a better gauge on depth perception ... Works quite well every time, and the umpires can reel them back in range when necessary ... Should be an easy amendment to get passed this year to the official Field Specifications ... |
| Oct. 21, 2015 Tim Millette 615 posts | Dave, it might be easier to always have the back of the box marker always on the field would be to have it painted on the mat you use to call strikes... Doing it that way takes the field crew out of it and since the back of the box is based off of home plate you always use the front of the dish to set the mat so it would always be correct. |
| Oct. 21, 2015 garyheifner 649 posts | I suggested this some time in the past and the Staff might encourage park districts to do this. I have played at more and more fields that have the entire batting area covered with astro turf and painted boxes boxes. Also, one complex that smooths out the dirt and brings out large rubber mats with the boxes painted on them. If you need to have a box-- 1. Batters don't have to hit out of a hole or deep dust. 2. No concerns about rubbing out lines. Since more and more park districts are adopting rules similar to Senior ball, why not come out with a 10 foot black mat for the pitching area. Pitcher must be in some contact at delivery. |
| Oct. 22, 2015 tg69 393 posts | Once again, you have given the pitcher an additional 10ft. from the original rubber for what ever reason so why not give the batter the additional 12/14 inches that the strike zone is extended due to the plate being a strike. Batters box should have been moved forward that much. Snakesh#t once said, don't make rules you cant enforce!!!! |
| Oct. 22, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Well, Tom, the pitcher has a 10' area back from the 50' pitching distance toward 2nd base ... Can't see too much objection coming if we were to give the batter another 12/14" to work with, also at the back of the batters box, toward the backstop ... There's symmetry, I guess, in allowing them both to back up if they want ... (You really weren't serious about allowing the batter an additional 12/14" range of movement toward the pitcher, were you??) |
| Oct. 22, 2015 tg69 393 posts | Dave,10,000 comedians out of work and you trying to be funny.Dead serious. Iknow, come to the rules meeting!!!! |
| Oct. 22, 2015 tg69 393 posts | Dave, I do have a question> I haven't been in senior ball all that long, has hitting the plate always been a strike? |
| Oct. 22, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | Tom ... I don't know on the strike mat's "age", but it's been that way in the 12± years I've been helping out as a Field Director ... A "few" years ago, it was enlarged by 2" all around, going to 19" wide (covering a 17" wide plate) and lengthened by 2" to 34½" ... I'm ignorant as to how the original length was determined ... Just guessing here, but I suspect the strike mat was originally adopted to eliminate the "subjective nature" of the traditional ASA strike zone call for the umpires ... The theory was probably that a visual and audible determination of "did it hit the mat or not?" was perceived as easier for ball/strike calls ... (Yes, I know, some umps still miss it!) ... |
| Oct. 22, 2015 BruceinGa Men's 70 3233 posts | I seem to remember when the mat was first used the ball didn't have to hit it, the ball could land just off it and the edge of the ball could be over the mat. |
| Oct. 22, 2015 OZ40 549 posts | I don't know if I accept the initial premise in the opening post that states the batter has an advantage from the get-go due to the type of bats and balls being used. You still have to get the ball past 10 defensive players so it's 10 to 1 against you getting a hit, right? Also if the wind is a factor as it sometimes is, it works more against the batter than the fielders. Plus, no matter what bats and balls you use, you still have to hit the ball correctly or you might as well be swinging a tree branch at an apple. |
| Oct. 26, 2015 SKings24 60 posts | I was at BLD this past weekend and the box rul in games I played in or watcher were not enforced. Some batters were out of the box by inches to a foot and not called. So regardless it is not being called as rule book states. |
| Oct. 27, 2015 B94 Men's 50 138 posts | I too was at BLD playing this past weekend and it seemed that the batter's box rule was called "selectively" depending who the hitter was and the circumstance. Either call it or don't - just be consistent. |
| Oct. 27, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | I was the Field Director at Lorenzi on Friday with the 40-Major+ and this was a complete non-issue ... Batters boxes were chalked before each game and batters were rule-compliant ... There was no complaining (or criticism) at all ... Players had an increased awareness of the rule due to being reminded during pre-game manager/umpire meetings and the pre-tournament emphasis ... Well done, guys ... As it should be ... |
| Oct. 27, 2015 obagain Men's 50 72 posts | I don't have a problem with the box, my beef is letting pitchers throw a pitch that only gets about 4 foot arc and hit the front of the plate. If they call those illegal guys wouldn't have to stand so far up. |
| Oct. 28, 2015 Caveman Men's 50 68 posts | Obagain, what's wrong with giving a pitcher a little edge, its effing slow pitch softball, if you can't hit it, grab some pine. |
| Oct. 29, 2015 neck10 714 posts | dave how far in front of matt is the batter's box front line,is it the same distance as in asa usssa &nsa |
| Oct. 29, 2015 neck10 714 posts | in our league we also play asa young man's ball have the same batter's box as senior,we just put a matt over plate,so now ball's that hit plate are now strike's so you have to move up at least where your back foot is just in front of matt which is a little different for batter and pitcher.ball that hit's plate is ballin asa where it's a strike in senior same pitch hit's same spot one is strike the other is a ball.so you must adjust your stance or at least I have to but I used to do the same thing asa vs usssa because of arc. |
| Oct. 29, 2015 SSUSA Staff 3490 posts | neck10 ... 3'-3½" ... The batters box is 4' forward from the "elbow" of the home plate ... The side "edges" of the plate are 8½" deep ... The front of the strike mat is aligned with the front edge of the plate ... So the forward "reach" is 4', less 8½", or 3'-3½"... |
| Oct. 29, 2015 B94 Men's 50 138 posts | The batters box size and placement hasn't changed from when strike zone was being played. It seems to me that it only makes sense that with the plate now being a strike the front line of the batters box should be adjusted toward the pitcher the same 8.5" which is now a strike that previously wasn't. I think this will resolve the issue by keeping the consistency that previously existed... Just my $.02... |
| Oct. 29, 2015 SSUSA Staff 3490 posts | B94 ... The assertion that "...with the plate now being a strike..." is a bit deceptive ... It's been that way for at least 12± years, maybe longer ... This relational placement is not a new thing ... It's highly unlikely that you would be able to garner the seven votes required (of the 13 voting members) to persuade the SSUSA Rules Committee to change the rules to allow batters to legally move closer to the pitcher ... You're most welcome to appear in person or propose it in written correspondence ... That correspondence must be in the form of an identifiable (as to you) email or snail mail ... Message Board commentary is completely disregarded for purposes of Rules Committee consideration ... |
| Oct. 30, 2015 B.J. 1107 posts | Dave instead of extending the front of the batters box which would make it closer to the pitcher why not extend the rear of the box and move the plate back the same distance... |
| Oct. 30, 2015 DaveDowell Men's 70 4317 posts | B.J. - That's going to be somewhat problematical since about 99.8% of all facilities have permanently installed home plates anchored in place ... |
| Oct. 30, 2015 dug8 Men's 55 25 posts | Has any thought ever been given to moving the Mat "Back", behind home plate and not calling the plate a strike? Fully understand why the box cannot be moved forward towards the pitcher. The underlining problem that was created when the plate became a strike is how does a batter hit a 6 foot pitch that hits the front of the mat without stepping forward out of the batters box. Obviously this would put the mat very close to the back of the box though. If it is a 6 foot pitch, it is still hittable. Higher pitches to the back of he box would be tough, but batters would make the adjustments, all of which would be backwards, further way from the pitchers. |
| Oct. 30, 2015 chico senior Men's 60 134 posts | Why don't we just put the ball on an adjustable tee so that the batter can get the exact pitch he wants. And let's make sure we play all games indoors so that wind and sun don't hinder the batter. GET REAL! Learn how to hit any pitch that is thrown. Spend some real time taking taking BP. Hit every pitch thrown in BP instead of just the ones in your 'happy zone' and you'll become a real hitter. Most of all your ideas are unrealistic. |
| Oct. 30, 2015 cal50 Men's 50 328 posts | I would make the mat extend 3" or 4" wider than the plate. Gives a little more back to the pitcher. I agree that you have to learn to hit every strike thrown, but I could not DISAGREE more with chico's statement about becoming a real hitter by swinging at every BP pitch. |
| Oct. 30, 2015 chico senior Men's 60 134 posts | The point I'm trying to make is that in a game you don't always get the perfect pitch. Learn to hit any strike, or near strike, in the manner that is satisfactory to you. The strike zone and mat are what they are. Quit trying to get the mat made smaller, or moved, or the batters box made to your specs. It is what it is - adjust what you do to prepare for that. I have guys on my team that in BP only hit the perfect pitch and then in the game when they don't get the perfect pitch have difficulty adjusting. |
| Oct. 30, 2015 obagain Men's 50 72 posts | Caveman, Why worry about the box, let the batter stand where he wants, pitcher has a glove so use it. Why not let the runner lead off, it's no big deal.. Why not shave bats a little, it won't make much difference. These are all rules, if you want to play then follow them or give up and go home. There are ways to change rules, get people to follow you and go to the rules committee and get them changed, otherwise follow the rules. |
| Oct. 30, 2015 jfsully 82 posts | Cal 50 : Per SSUSA rules : Home plate shall be made of rubber or other suitable material. It shall be a five-sided figure, 17" (43.18 cm) wide across the edge facing the pitcher The mat for SSUSA is 19" wide by 34.5 long. The pitchers are already given 1" per side extra (2" in total) |
| Oct. 30, 2015 LeeLee50 140 posts | Some of guys have way to much free time to look up and worry about these matters. LOL |
