Batting out of order- WTF?

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Mar 14, 2017
453
43
Michigan
Let me preface by saying the two umpires from the game did a great job and ran a great game except for this debacle...

NFHS rules

My daughter's team is batting.

Sherry (9th batter) is at the plate with a 1-1 count. The opposing coach correctly informs the umpire that Brenda (8th batter) should be the batter.

They call Sherry out-replace her with Brenda and make Brenda assume her 1-1 count. Brenda is retired, and then the next batter is Vanna (lead off).

I'm pretty sure this is wrong on many levels.


Help me if I'm wrong, but since Sherry hasn't completed her at bat Brenda just completes her AB and assumes Sherry's count.

Sherry takes her AB after Brenda, where she belongs. No outs no problems.

Isn't that correct?

How the heck can Sherry be called out, but her count is applied to the next batter?
 
Feb 4, 2015
641
28
Massachusetts
BOA can only be called after she has completed her at bat if she gets on base.

Here's a question. If batter #9 bats for batter #8 and gets on base, then gets called out for BOA, does #9 bat again since it would now be her rightful spot in the order?
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
BOA can only be called after she has completed her at bat if she gets on base.

Here's a question. If batter #9 bats for batter #8 and gets on base, then gets called out for BOA, does #9 bat again since it would now be her rightful spot in the order?

It is not the person who batted out of order that is called out, it is the person who should have batted that is called out. If #9 had completed the at bat, gotten on base and then the BOO appealed, #8 is called out, the at bat of #9 is negated and the next batter is #9.
 
May 17, 2012
2,804
113
It is not the person who batted out of order that is called out, it is the person who should have batted that is called out. If #9 had completed the at bat, gotten on base and then the BOO appealed, #8 is called out, the at bat of #9 is negated and the next batter is #9.

But you have to appeal before the first pitch to batter #10 correct?
 
Mar 14, 2017
453
43
Michigan
The worst part is I have coached for about 29 seasons and pride myself on knowing the rules. My daughter's coach has 1 year of LL experience and the team has some sort of substitution issue at every game, because he doesn't know the rules, and therefore the kids don't know the rules. (The outfielders switched defensive positions so they assumed they switched batting positions too.)

I've been the rules adjudicator at all but one of the local tournaments, and he knows this, so last night when the umpire called the batter out. I politely stated (honest it was polite & I was sitting at the fence behind home plate, so I didn't have to raise my voice) Sherry didn't complete her at bat so she isn't out. My daughter's coach snapped at me, "That doesn't matter!"

I haven't worked under NFHS rules for about 17 years, so I thought perhaps something had changed since he was so certain, but no... just him not knowing the rules, pretending he does and accepting an out that he shouldn't have for the 3rd time this season.
 
Jun 22, 2008
3,731
113
But you have to appeal before the first pitch to batter #10 correct?

Yes, boo must be appealed prior to a pitch to the next batter. As for the op, before the at bat is completed you simply put the correct batter at bat and they assume the count. No penalty until the at bat is completed.
 

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