Baseball Batter's Box

During an at-bat in baseball, the batting player must stand on one side of home plate in one of two designated areas known as batter’s boxes. Read on to learn more about the batter’s box in baseball, including rules associated with the batter’s box.

What Is the Batter's Box in Baseball?

A batter's box in baseball is an area adjacent to home-plate where a batter stands while at-bat. There are two batter's boxes, one on either side of home plate, to accommodate both left-handed and right-handed hitters. Each batter must stay in their respective batter’s box as long as they are at bat.

Batter’s Box Rules

• From the pitcher’s view, left-handed batters stand in the box on the left side of home plate.
• From the pitcher’s view, right-handed batters stand in the box on the right side of home plate.
• The batter must keep at least one foot inside the batter’s box while at bat.
• The batter may not leave the batter’s box once the pitcher begins his windup or comes to a set position.
• The batter may exit the batter’s box under select circumstances, such as during a swing attempt, a bunt attempt, or a passed ball.
• The batter may request time out of the batter’s box before the pitcher begins his windup or comes to a set position.
• Switch-hitters must declare which batters box they will occupy prior to the at-bat. The batter must occupy the same batters box throughout the at-bat.

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