Originally Posted by Avid Flyer
UMPS that is. Watched baseball replay either HS or college. Batter in box, pitcher throws one pitch, batter takes a strike call he didn't like so steps out of batters box where he adjusts his batting glove etc. WhIle doing so ref gives jester like he just calked a strike. After kicking dirt off his kleats batter starts to get back in batters box when ref again motions like a strike call and then tells the batter he just struck out.
Only one pitch was made the entire time. Batter obviously objects gets in heated argument with plate ump who tosses him from game. Manager then gets in heated debate but ump stands his ground saying batter didn't ask for time out so he called the strikes.
Announcers who said that rule technically is in the rule books is hardly ever called. Manager argued that even if that was the case the pitcher has to throw ball to catcher.
Only one pitch was thrown to catchet but 3 strikes were called.
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I don't have a direct reference to a Rule, but there is a Delay of Game rule that says the batter can't just step out of the batter's box without permission and fiddle around with this batter's glove, cup or jock strap. I think you get something like 20 seconds but maybe less if you didn't ask permission to step out of the box.
I'm guessing the ump and this batter have a history or something happened earlier in the game that didn't sit well with the ump.
FWIW, at the HS level the coaches are told -and players know - to always have at least 1 foot inside the batter's box at all times UNLESS you have been granted 'time'. I've never had a problem with players stepping out, but I have indicated to a pitcher that they can throw a pitch even though the player has one foot in and one foot out. After all, I never granted 'time', they stepped out on their own.