Question: In high school baseball, having promptly taken position in box within 20 seconds, batter swings and misses pitch. Is batter permitted to leave the box?
Answer: Generally, a batter must keep one foot in box throughout time at bat. In certain situations, such as play above, batter is allowed to leave box without penalty. (Rule 7, Sec. 3, Art. 1(a), exception)
Question: In high school softball, having taken position promptly in box within 10 second limit, batter leaves box while pitcher has hands together ready to pitch. Legal action?
Answer: Unless time was granted for valid reason, umpire will call a penalty strike on batter for delay of game. Pitch is not required to be thrown. (Rule 7, Sec. 2, Art. 1(e); Rule 7-3-1 effect)