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Discussion: Safety

Posted Discussion
July 28, 2022
Qball
5 posts
Safety
I saw multiple pitchers hit at Loudon. Why is it that Senior Softball has super bats and balls; when players are older and reflexes are slower? Then on top of that they allow batters to stand so far off the plate barely touching the batters box? If any part of your foot is not “in” the batters box then you should be considered “out” of the batters box. Baseball rule 5.04(b). Why does Senior Softball us a different rule?? Just curious as to when something will be done for defense and safety?
July 29, 2022
MurrayW
Men's 65
221 posts
I think that pitching nets should be used. I played the past week in Columbus IN for the ISA World and Sacramento for the SSUSA Western Nationals, and in both tournaments, Gold Dot balls were used. You should have heard the complaining by almost everyone about the dead balls, especially when it got hot in the afternoon. You will have a lot more people upset about inferior equipment than will advocate changing it.
July 29, 2022
DieselDan
Men's 75
600 posts
Qball
The batter box lines are part of the box. If a batter’s bat makes contact with the ball while one of their feet are completely out of the box and on the ground when the ball is contacted, they should be called out. Oh yeah. The batter can have the heal of one of their feet on the inside box line, with the front of their foot in front of the plate, and that’s not illegal. (I believe.)
July 30, 2022
Qball
5 posts
Umpire said as long as the batters toe was touching the outer edge of the batters box; the batter was considered being in the box. Why have a box if 99% of the batters feet can be outside of it?
July 30, 2022
DaveDowell
Men's 70
4312 posts
Qball ... The umpire has it right ... Simply: LINES ARE IN ... If you'd like to hear the position of the loyal opposition to your theory, ask a couple of 40-Masters Men's teams their thoughts on "out of the box" ... They appear to believe that the four corners of "the box" should be defined by 1B, 2B, 3B and Home plate and comprise 4,900 square feet instead of 21 sf ...

July 30, 2022
Qball
5 posts
Maybe I a not clear. Are you saying before the ball is pitched, the batter can stand with 99% his feet outside of the lines?
July 30, 2022
Qball
5 posts
I hear you.
Funny… Baseball pitcher throws 100mph: Official Baseball Rule 5.04(b)(5) requires the batter to have both feet within the batter's box when assuming an initial position in the box prior to hitting (no portion of the foot may be outside the line under this provision.

Softball 5mph, batters need help (endangering all)
July 30, 2022
B.J.
1105 posts
Qball.. below is the rule

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.
July 31, 2022
BJB22
Men's 55
8 posts
Well, there are a few teams with multiple players that start "in" the box, but walk it ALOT and are definitely out of the box with at least one foot, maybe two, NONE were called out in Columbus.
July 31, 2022
Qball
5 posts
I read the rules and still don’t understand why softball players need more room than baseball players. Makes no sense to me.
Aug. 1, 2022
DaveDowell
Men's 70
4312 posts
Qball ... The softball rule ALLOWS more room for the batter ... However, your logic fails when you presume/insist that allowance is in response to a NEED for more room ... Different sports, different rules ... But there actually is a little something for everyone here ... You are certainly entitled to keep your feet completely inside the confines of the batter's box and it's highly unlikely anybody (umpires included) is going to complain about you doing so ... Good luck!

Aug. 1, 2022
Rob64
Men's 50
209 posts
Most Umpires can't tell you where the batter's box is because there are no lines! They will not call anybody out in fear of retaliation! Just play on like there isn't a batter's box. Columbus was a classic example of a rule that the umpires preached before the game started but wasn't inforced because the only balls were Gold Dot's.
Aug. 1, 2022
DaveDowell
Men's 70
4312 posts
Rob64 ... Two issues there ... [1] Chalk batter's box lines are tough to keep in place because a lot of managers seem to require their first batter of the game to wipe the front line and the second one to wipe the inside line ... [2] SSUSA didn't run the Columbus event ... Your ball observation is best raised with the sanctioning association, I.S.A. ...

Aug. 1, 2022
Jeff50
28 posts
Some guys like to move their feet to make contact almost like tennis. When balls are coming 100mph you can't really move quick enough.

Pitching nets are awful and ruin the flow of the game. In my opinion there would be even less teams.
Aug. 1, 2022
txnighttrain
120 posts
I thought intentionally erasing the chalk lines of the batters box, even at the coin flip, was cause for ejection.
Aug. 1, 2022
Jeff50
28 posts
I would also say that the super bats and balls is why a lot of guys still play. For me it makes the game more fun (of course I don't pitch). Much rather that than USSSA or wood bat and be bored by 8-7 games with balls that wither in the heat. The harder the ball the better and the Tattoo should be the worst ball we use. (and yes I've read about supply issues and understand)
Aug. 1, 2022
Rob64
Men's 50
209 posts
The rule was explained if your back foot cleared the front of the mat @ contact dead ball out no lines needed! Explained before every game to both managers. Easy call right!
txnighttrain rules are only useful if you enforce them in any association......
Aug. 1, 2022
Jeff50
28 posts
Last thing I want to see is guys get ejected for erasing lines that will last 3 batters anyhow and guys getting called out by an umpire trying to guess if at the point of contact he is out of the box or not. A pitcher can get hit on any pitch from any stance, so to call it a safety issue is exaggerating.

The game is supposed to for fun and participation, not spending time creating more rule controversies.
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