batters box

Question
QUESTION: Aren't these mlb rules contradictory?

6.05
(1) The batter shall keep at least one foot in the batter’s box throughout the batter’s time at bat, unless one of the following exceptions applies, in which case the batter may leave the batter’s box but not the dirt area surrounding home plate:
    (i) The batter swings at a pitch;

6.06
A batter is out for illegal action when --
(a) He hits a ball with one or both feet on the ground entirely outside the batter’s box.

ANSWER: Thanks for the question...They do not contradict each other...

The first is simply a time issue in order to keep the game flowing & not allow a batter to step out after each pitch to readjust, walk around, scratch his crotch, etc....He must keep one foot in the BOX or risk being charged a strike for delaying the game.

The second is in actually hitting the baseball, if both feet are out of the box, like a bunt & he was moving forward already, then the batter runner is immediately called out for striking a ball outside of the marked box.

Thanks again for the question....

Andy

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Andy,
thanks for your explanation, but you have not addressed the clear meaning of 6.05, which says that a batter may have one foot or two outside the batter's box if he swings at a pitch.

Answer
If a batter swings & misses, fouls off the  ball, wild pitch, etc. he may then step OUT of the batter's box to reset.....If he takes the pitch, ball or strike, he may not remove BOTH feet from the box w/out a delay of game or strike being called on him....

If you are still confused, please feel free to call me....Thanks again, Andy...423.605.3035