Sam wrote:How about the 1B umpire, then, since they wouldn't move to 2B with a runner on 1B. After any runner takes their lead at the point the pitch is released, that umpire can the focus nearly solely on the slapper's position in or out of the box and they have the angle to make the call. The HP ump has to be prepared to call the pitch and can have their view of the slapper's body position blocked by the catcher and the slapper.
I think it's an easier call for a corner umpire. Just my opinion......it never gets called anyway.
OBTW: the situation that happens more often and isn't called is the LH batters who bunt while they are stepping on HP. The umpire gets blocked by the catcher on that one quite a bit also.
I don't disagree that it happens, but I guarantee you, an umpire from 70+ feet away is not going to be able to see the exact, AND IT MUST BE EXACT as it is not a guessing game, position of the batter's foot on the ground at the moment of contact even if they could turn their head from the pitcher and runners to a completely different angle and distance and come into focus in something that is happening in approx. .5 seconds.
And remember, if any part of the shoe, even the edge of a heel, is touching the line, the foot is considered NOT outside of the box.
Even though it isn't called as often as you and I and just about everyone else believe it happens, the one strong point is that when it is called, the odds are pretty good, the batter was out of the box.