CATCHER’S POSITION.
QUESTION: Are the dimensions of the catcher’s box the same in baseball and softball games?
ANSWER: (BB only) The distance from the rear tip of home plate to the back of the box is eight (8) ft. while the width is forty-three (43) in. across. (Rule 1, Diagram 2).
(SB only) The ten (10) ft. distance is judged from the rear end line of the batter’s box while the width is 8 ft. 5 in. across from the side lines of the batter’s box. (Rule 1, Sec.1, Art. 4l Figure 1-1).
QUESTION: If the catcher is not within the catcher’s box at the time of pitch, is time called with pitcher given a restart to pitch? Is there a penalty?
ANSWER: (BB) At time of pitch , fielders must be on fair territory and catcher in foul ground within box. An illegal pitch is called; dead ball, ball on the batter without any pitch. If runners were on base, dead ball, runners advance one base as in a balk but no ball on batter. (Rule 1-1-4; Rule 2-18 and Rule 5-1-1,k).
(SB) At time of pitch all fielders are to be on fair ground; catcher within box. (Rule 3-1-5). For infraction, illegal pitch called with delayed dead ball signal; play allowed to happen. If any runner is put out or batter-runner does not reach first safely, penalty would be ball on batter and runners given a one base award. (Rule 6-1-1).