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> Little League Online > Umpires > Useful Tips > Player Location on the Field - June 2006

Player Location on the Field - June 2006

These tips deal with the location a player takes on the field.

Rule 4.03 provides that when the ball is put in play at the start of or during a game, all fielders other than the catcher shall be in fair territory.

In particular, when holding a runner on first base, the first baseman shall position himself/herself with both feet in fair territory. There is no penalty specified for violation, other than the first baseman shall be instructed by the umpire to keep both feet in fair territory. If a player, after being directed by the umpire, blatantly refuses to comply, the player is subject to ejection. At this point the team manager/coaches should be involved in the discussions.

When the batter assumes a batting stance in the batter's box, he/she shall have both feet entirely within the batter's box; i.e., no part of either foot may extend beyond the outer edge of the lines defining the box when the batter assumes a position in the box.

There is no penalty specified for violation other than the batter shall be instructed by the umpire to stay within the batter's box. If a player, after being directed by the umpire, blatantly refuses to comply, he/she is subject to ejection. See Rule 6.03. At this point the team manager/coaches should be involved in the discussions.

Rule 6.02(c) provides that if the batter refuses to take a position in the batter's box during a time at bat, the umpire shall order the pitcher to pitch and shall call "Strike" on each such pitch. On such pitch, the ball remains alive and in play (runners may advance at their own risk). The batter may take a proper position after any such pitch and the regular ball and strike count shall continue, but if the batter does not take a proper position before three strikes are called, he/she shall be declared out.

Once the umpire has ordered the pitcher to pitch under this rule, the batter is not allowed to step back in quickly and offer at the pitch. Under this rule, once invoked, the penalty applies, and the umpire shall call the pitch a strike. After the umpire has ordered the pitcher to pitch, should the batter re-enter the box and hit such pitch, the ball is dead, a strike is called, and any advancement on the bases is nullified. At this point the team manager/coaches should be involved in the discussions.

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