stepping out of the batters box

Question
ASA
I understand that if a batter steps out of the box to hit a ball, he is out.  What if he doesn't step out before hitting the ball but as he picks his front leg up to hit the ball he lands it down out of the box, as in a follow though of the hitting action?
Thanks
Don Johansen

Answer
Don, thanks for the question!

This is a great question because as umpires, we absolutely hate having to call people out for box violations.  There's a time to umpire and a time to just stand back there and try to look pretty.  Usually when a box violation occurs, it happens because the batter is trying to hit a crappy pitch, so why call them out for trying to do something with nothing?

Ok.. to the meat of this thing.  The deal is you have to have a foot on the ground outside the lines (on the line is in the box) at the exact moment you're contacting the ball.  99% of the time the batter, as you say, has their front foot in the air when they hit the ball.  This is NOT a violation of the rule.  This is also the best way we umpires tell a catcher we saw what the batter did  "Catch, his foot was still in the air."  Now another part of this rule is at any time before you bat the ball, you can not step fully outside or start outside the lines (including with only part of the foot outside).  You have to start on or within the lines, and stay on or within the lines until the ball is hit.  How often do you see this called :-)

Batter's box lines become umpire's judgment after they are wiped away.

When it comes to your question, as long as the batter is not in contact with the ball when his foot is on the ground outside the lines, you should have no worries.

Clear as mud?  I hope this helps answer your question, if not please reply!