THANK YOU! (yes, that's a shout!) SSUSA, for addressing this in the recent rules committee on December 7, 2023. This demonstrates that you are listening to the players. To the players out there: See? This is SSUSA addressing a much-debated topic. They do listen. Change does happen. My point of view: I think this is a very wise change.
§1.5 • BATTERS BOX & §7.3 • BATTING POSITION – There were multiple proposals presented by both
public and committee membership regarding changes to the batters box rules. For the sake of
consistency across all venues where SSUSA plays, the committee adopted, generally, the USSSA Rule 1,
section 5, as follows below:
“The batter must take an initial position with his back foot no further forward than a
line defining the front edge of home plate. The batter will be called out if he hits the
ball when the back foot is completely further forward than the line defining the front
edge of home plate. NOTE: All other illegally batted ball infractions regarding the side
and rear lines of the batter’s box, along with stepping on home plate, remain in effect.”
• PASSED: 12-0-0
Batters Box rule change ...very nice change!
Clarify something for me. I the batter takes his "initial stance", legally and then moves forward after the ball is released is he in violation?
The way that I read the rule he is within the rule.
Hi Bruce - I think there are two relevant positions: 1. Initial Stance. 2. Stance when the bat contacts the ball. In both of those positions, both feet must be within legal bounds. What happens after the bat contacts the ball is not governed by this rule. In the very rare cases where the batter is actually contacting the ball whilst the lead foot is in the air, it remains a judgement call. The "happy Gilmore" batters fall into that category.
If the back foot is in front of homeplate when you make contact with the ball, you will be called out.
Thank you Hank, that's very clear.
Bruce M, I meant the rear foot is now ahead of the mat. Thanks for your reply!
I really don't understand the purpose of the full batters box when using a mat. The front line is needed. A batter has to defend the mat. It really does not matter where U stand before the pitch except behind the front line. In most tournaments the lines are pretty much gone after a few innings.
YOUR RIGHT Gary with flat pitches never called it's up to the batter to defend the front of the plate especially from pitchers who pitch from way behind pitching rubber.
Hi Gary - I think the batter's box matters for a variety of purposes. One is to level the playing field and keep it consistent. Everyone has to start within a pre-defined common area. Second, it encourages a level of skill. I've seen plenty of people, who do not know how to hit to opposite field properly, start and/or stride way outside of the box on the side. They think they have an "oppo swing", but in reality, they are just continuing to pull the ball by adjusting the angle. Another version of this is the person who tries to pull the ball by stepping way out of the side of the box. The batter's box helps alert the defense and the umpire that the batter is ready to receive the pitch. There are three components to that: 1. the pitcher has possession of the ball and is ready to pitch. 2. the umpire has somehow indicated the pitch may be thrown. 3. the batter is standing in the box and looking at the pitcher. I wouldn't be surprised if there were other purposes in addition to these.
Seems the discussion is all about the back foot, What's the rule change? are you guys saying that as long as the back foot is at least even with the front of the plate then the front foot can now go over the front of the box?
lowprofile.. yes the front foot can step completely out of the box now
batters that like to slap the ball to the opposite field will have to be careful and possibly position their rear foot deeper back in the box because many like to step forward and a little sideways when they hit the ball
"EXACTLY"
What good is a batters box now a days? Before you know it there will just be a
line a few feet out that's parallel to the front of the plate where your foot can't
cross and your other foot can be any where behind you.
