Illegally Batted Ball
Also known as: illegal batted ball, foot out of the batter's box, foot outside the batter's box, slapper out of the box, stepping on home plate when hitting, stepped out of the box
An illegally batted ball is a hit made while a foot is on the ground completely outside the batter's box, or touching home plate. It counts whether the ball goes fair or foul. The ball is dead and the batter is out. For slappers, a foot touching the box line or still in the air is legal.
USA Softball's rules call a batted ball illegal in four cases. At contact, an entire foot is on the ground completely outside the box lines. At contact, any part of a foot is touching home plate. The bat is illegal, altered or non-approved. Or the batter's whole foot touched the ground outside the box and came back in before contact. For the foot and plate cases, the ball is dead, the batter is out and runners go back to their bases.
The lines belong to the box. A foot touching the line is in. The rule also needs the foot to be on the ground. A foot that is in the air over the line at contact does not count.
This rule matters most to slappers. Their crossover footwork moves them toward the pitcher as they swing. If the crossover foot lands fully past the front line before the bat meets the ball, the umpire calls the batter out. Coaches teach slappers to keep the steps short and low and to make contact as the crossover foot lands or just before. Other rule books word this rule their own way. Check the version your league uses.
Tips by skill level
Chalk or tape the front line of the box in practice. Have a partner watch where your crossover foot lands at contact.
Start the approach from the back of the box and keep the crossover short and low. You can then reach the ball out front without your foot landing past the line first.
Example
A left-handed slapper's crossover foot lands a few inches past the front line of the box. She then pokes the ball through the left side. The umpire calls an illegally batted ball, the batter is out and the runner on first goes back.
Why it matters
It turns a clean slap single into an out. Slappers who drift out of the box early also lose their timing on the pitch.
Common mistakes
- Taking a crossover step so long it lands outside the box before contact
- Starting the slap approach from the very front of the box
- Stepping on home plate while reaching for an outside pitch
- Assuming a foul ball does not count, when an illegal hit is an out fair or foul
Frequently asked questions
Is it an out if the slapper steps out of the box?
Yes, if her foot is on the ground completely outside the box when she hits the ball. The ball is dead and she is out, fair or foul. A foot on the line, or still in the air, is legal.
Is it an out if you step on home plate when you hit the ball?
Yes. Under USA Softball rules, hitting the ball while any part of your foot touches home plate is an illegally batted ball. The ball is dead and the batter is out.
What happens to runners on an illegally batted ball?
The ball is dead, the batter is out and each runner goes back to the base she held when the pitch was thrown.
Sources
Related terms
- Slap HittingSlap hitting is a left-handed offensive technique where a fast runner moves through the batter's box toward the pitcher while making contact, converting their running start into a head-start toward first base.
- Crossover Slap StepIn a crossover slap step, the back foot crosses in front of the front foot. It starts the slapper moving toward the pitcher, building momentum into contact.
- Slap Approach TimingSlap approach timing syncs a slapper's crossover footwork with the pitcher's release. The final step and swing should land together, not early or late.
- Running SlapA running slap is a full-speed slap where the hitter is already moving toward first at contact. The swing becomes the first strides of a sprint.
- Soft SlapA soft slap is a short, controlled slap that places a slow ground ball where the infield cannot make a quick play. The slapper runs through her crossover, keeps her hands inside the ball and meets it out in front with a short, firm stroke. Most slappers aim it at the left side of the infield, where the throw to first is longest.
- Batting Stance (Fast-Pitch)There is no single correct fast-pitch batting stance, but good ones share a few traits. The feet are about shoulder-width apart, the knees are slightly bent and the weight sits on the balls of the feet. The hands rest near the back shoulder, and the barrel can reach the outer edge of the plate.
Related guides & benchmarks
Have a question about this?
There is nothing here to film. Ask SwingVantage a follow-up question, or keep reading the related terms above.