I was reading through the batting out of order rules again. I knew this, but I'm trying to think of a situation it would actually apply.
So if the improper batter is still batting, if either the offense or defense alerts the umpire, the proper batter takes her place, assumes the count, no penalty. Makes sense.
But why would the defense ever do this? Is there any strategic reason I'm missing for the defensive team to say anything? Isn't it always the correct move for the defense to just allow the at bat to complete, and then alert the umpire (depending on the result of the bat bat; I know in certain situations you actually want the play to stand)?
I guess the only thing I can think of is if the team on offense is trying something egregious: B6 is supposed to be up, and 6-9 in the order can't hit, so the offense tries to have B1 come up to bat. In that case, you'd want to rectify immediately so you don't normalize the "new" order. I think.
So if the improper batter is still batting, if either the offense or defense alerts the umpire, the proper batter takes her place, assumes the count, no penalty. Makes sense.
But why would the defense ever do this? Is there any strategic reason I'm missing for the defensive team to say anything? Isn't it always the correct move for the defense to just allow the at bat to complete, and then alert the umpire (depending on the result of the bat bat; I know in certain situations you actually want the play to stand)?
I guess the only thing I can think of is if the team on offense is trying something egregious: B6 is supposed to be up, and 6-9 in the order can't hit, so the offense tries to have B1 come up to bat. In that case, you'd want to rectify immediately so you don't normalize the "new" order. I think.