6.02 & 6.03 Batters Box

6.02 Position in Batter’s Box

(a) - The batter shall take a position in the batter’s box promptly when it is said batter’s time at bat.

(b) - The batter shall not leave that position in the batter’s box after the pitcher comes to Set Position, or starts a windup.

PENALTY: If the pitcher pitches, the umpire shall call “Ball” or “Strike” as the case may be.

(c) - Local League Option: After entering the batter’s box, the batter must remain in the box with at least one foot throughout the at-bat.

Exceptions:

(1) On a swing, slap, or check swing.

(2) When forced out of the box by a pitch.

(3) When the batter attempts a “drag bunt.”

(4) When the catcher does not catch the pitched ball.

(5) When a play has been attempted.

(6) When time has been called.

(7) When the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitcher’s plate after receiving the ball or the catcher leaves the catcher’s box.

(8) On a three-ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball.

PENALTY: If the batter leaves the batter’s box or delays play and none of the exceptions apply, the umpire shall warn the batter. After one warning on a batter, the umpire shall call a strike. Any number of strikes can be called on each batter.

• Minor/Major Division: No pitch has to be thrown, the ball is dead, and no runners may advance.

• Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior: No pitch has to be thrown, and the ball is live.

NOTE: The batter may return to their position in the batter’s box and assume the new count at any time during the at-bat, unless such enforced penalty is the third strike.

6.03 Legal Position in Batter’s Box

The batter’s legal position shall be with both feet within the batter’s box.

A.R. – The lines defining the box are within the batter’s box.

6.06 Illegal Action Leading to an Out

A batter is out for illegal action when:
(a) - Hitting the ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the batter’s box.

A.R. – If a batter hits a ball fair or foul while out of the batter’s box, he/she shall be called out. 

Rule 6.02 Summary: Batter’s Position in the Box

The batter must take their place in the batter’s box promptly when it is their turn to bat. Once the pitcher is in the Set Position or begins their windup, the batter cannot leave the box. If the pitcher delivers the pitch, it will be judged as a ball or strike by the umpire regardless of the batter’s position. After stepping into the box, the batter must keep at least one foot inside the box for the duration of the at-bat unless one of the following occur: 

• On a swing, slap, or check swing.

• When forced out of the box by a pitch.

• When the batter attempts a “drag bunt.”

• When the catcher does not catch the pitched ball.

• When a play has been attempted.

• When time has been called.

• When the pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound or takes a position more than five feet from the pitcher’s plate after receiving the ball or the catcher leaves the catcher’s box.

• On a three-ball count pitch that is a strike that the batter thinks is a ball.

Penalties:

If a batter leaves the box without a valid exception, the umpire will warn the batter the first time. After a warning, the umpire will call a strike for any further violations, even without a pitch being thrown. The ball remains dead, and no runners can advance in Minor/Major divisions; it remains live in higher divisions.

Example of Rule Application

1. Proper Action: The batter steps into the box when called and stays ready as the pitcher begins their windup.

2. Improper Action: The batter steps out of the box without an exception (e.g., no play attempt or called timeout). After a warning, the umpire calls a strike against the batter for delay.

3. Exception in Action: The batter swings at a pitch, steps out of the box, and then returns promptly. No penalty applies.

Rule 6.03 Summary: Legal Position of the Batter

The batter must have both feet completely within the batter’s box to take a legal batting stance. The lines that define the batter’s box are considered part of the box itself, so stepping on the line is legal as long as no part of the foot is outside the line.

Example of Rule Application

1. Legal Position: The batter steps into the box with both feet either inside the lines or touching the lines but not outside them.

2. Illegal Position: The batter steps up to the plate with one foot entirely outside the batter’s box. The umpire will not allow the pitch until the batter corrects their stance.

Rule 6.06 Summary: Batter Out for Illegal Action 

If a player hits the ball (fair or foul) with one or both feet entirely outside the batter’s box, the batter is out.