14U Girls FP (ASA & High School rules)

Question
Hi Mark,
I have 2 questions that relate to each other.
1.  I have read many answers to questions relating to stepping out of the batter's box but I haven't seen any specific to a slap bunt.  It may be a simple answer, you can't be out of the box during a pitch, but it seems as though  some of the girls have a foot on the first base line as they are hitting the ball but there isn't a call made by the ump.  What is the rule on leaving the batter's box during the pitch?
2.  After the batter batted the ball she dropped the bat in the field of play in front of the rolling ball and the ball was stopped by the bat.  Is that legal?

Thank you for your help.

Answer
Hi Bill,

Anytime the bat contacts the ball and an entire foot is on the ground outside the batter's box the ball is dead and the batter is out.

Now any part of the foot touching any part of the line is considered in the box.  The box is 3' wide, 6" from the plate so on the side assuming a foot in the shoe is at least 1' long the foot would have to be at least 4 1/2' from the edge of the plate, that's a long way and is usually pretty obvious.

The foot can also be in the air when the ball is contacted and be considered in the box.

The second question.  The basic rule is if the ball hits the bat dropped or thrown it is nothing.  If the bat dropped or thrown hits the ball we have a dead ball, out.  

However if the umpire feels the batter intentionally places their bat to interfere with the ball we have interference.  It is a judgement call and a rare call.  I personally have never called one.

Mark