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Adrian Beltre forgets the new batter’s box rule (Video)

By Will Osgood

Aug 8, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) runs to first base with a single during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Texas Rangers third baseman Adrian Beltre (29) runs to first base with a single during the fourth inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports /
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Adrian Beltre forgot he wasn’t allowed to leave the batter’s box, then remembered, and hilariously jumped back in the box. 

Old habits die hard, Adrian Beltre proved that Tuesday. Playing in just the second regular season game of the 2015 season, Beltre stepped out of the batter’s box in his first at-bat of the game against Oakland Athletics starter Jesse Hahn.

But bylaw 6.02(d) of the MLB rule book states:

"(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;  (ii) The batter is forced out of the batter’s box by a pitch;  (iii) A member of either team requests and is granted “Time”;  (iv) A defensive player attempts a play on a runner at any base;  (v) The batter feints a bunt;  (vi) A wild pitch or passed ball occurs;  (vii) The pitcher leaves the dirt area of the pitching mound after receiving the ball; or  (viii) The catcher leaves the catcher’s box to give defensive signals."

The rule, of course, came into play this offseason under new commissioner Rob Manfred in an attempt to speed up baseball games. All involved in baseball have recognized that the sport was becoming unnecessarily slow.

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The game itself is being played at a level better than it ever has, yet because of a variety of factors, it can come come to a screeching halt at any moment. The new “pace of play” rules are intended to prevent that.

But Beltre proved Tuesday night that it is going to take time to get used to the new rules. Luckily for Beltre, home plate umpire Doug Eddings was gracious and did not cite him for a violation of the new rule.

The Rangers notched their first victory of the season over the A’s 3-1. The two teams will finish their opening week series Wednesday as Ross Detwiler will face Scott Kazmir at 10:05 PM ET.

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