Regarding the DP/Flex and courtesy runners

Comp said:

It's covered in either the case plays or the plays and clarifications.

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Doesn't need an interpretation, it is in the rules. The pitcher and catcher may use a courtesy runner. If the pitcher or catcher (at the time of the last out of the previous half inning) is the last player due up and to be placed at 2nd, that pitcher or catcher is permitted to use a courtesy runner like any other inning.

MTR said:

Doesn't need an interpretation, it is in the rules. The pitcher and catcher may use a courtesy runner. If the pitcher or catcher (at the time of the last out of the previous half inning) is the last player due up and to be placed at 2nd, that pitcher or catcher is permitted to use a courtesy runner like any other inning.

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Unfortunately the book says a CR can be put in when a pitcher/catcher earns their way onto a base, or words to that effect.
So now we have to decide what exactly they meant by that.
It would be a big help if the book flatly states that in the event of a tiebreaker a CR can be put in for the pitcher/catcher but it does not.
I suppose you can assume the CR applies in this situation, but we all know what happens when one assumes...

Here is the ASA rule clarification from April 2014:

Play: In the top of the 8th inning, F2, who was the last batter to complete their turn at bat, is placed on 2B. The offense wants to put a Courtesy Runner in to run for F2. The umpires do not allow this because F2 did not bat and reach base safely.
Ruling: The umpires should have allowed F2 to have a Courtesy Runner. As long as F1 and/or F2 batted for themselves in the inning prior to the tie breaker and were the last to complete their turn at bat, they have earned the right to be put on 2B, therefore they can have a Courtesy Runner. Rule 8 Section 10A

MT 73 said:

Unfortunately the book says a CR can be put in when a pitcher/catcher earns their way onto a base, or words to that effect.
So now we have to decide what exactly they meant by that.
It would be a big help if the book flatly states that in the event of a tiebreaker a CR can be put in for the pitcher/catcher but it does not.
I suppose you can assume the CR applies in this situation, but we all know what happens when one assumes...

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It already states that in the rule itself. The pitcher and catcher are allowed to have a courtesy runner. (8.10.A) With the exception of the 1st inning, the pitcher and catcher are defined as the players who physically played those positions (at the end of) the previous half inning. In the top of the first inning, it is the players who are listed in those positions on the line-up card. (8.10.B)

The only thing that would stop a CR for the tie-breaker would be if there was a substitution (including a re-entry) for that P or C between the end of the previous half inning and beginning of the next.. Only a fool would make such a substitution prior to the P or C going to 2b as the tie-breaker.

Is there any reason a pinch runner couldn't be used in a tie-breaker? My Daughter just played one and our slowest runner was placed on second, her coach didn't use a PR. The slow runner had option to re-enter, so it wasn't fear of removing her for the rest of the game. On the other hand, the coach isn't the kind of guy who would have thought that far in advance. Daughter's team scored 4 runs and blew it open, so again it didn't come back to haunt them.

Yes, the player to be put on 2nd in a tie breaker can be substituted for.

Comp said:

Yes, the player to be put on 2nd in a tie breaker can be substituted for.

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I couldn't think of any logical reason why they couldn't be, but I was pretty sure I was the only one thinking that far a head.

MTR said:

It already states that in the rule itself. The pitcher and catcher are allowed to have a courtesy runner. (8.10.A) With the exception of the 1st inning, the pitcher and catcher are defined as the players who physically played those positions (at the end of) the previous half inning. In the top of the first inning, it is the players who are listed in those positions on the line-up card. (8.10.B)

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Question about the "top of the first inning" part.

We're the visiting team. Say I have that good hitter/slow runner type who's usually the DP. Can I list her as the starting catcher to courtesy run for her in the top of the first, but then never actually play her behind the plate in the bottom of the inning? Or is there something in the rules saying the P/C listed on the lineup card must take that position in the bottom of the inning? And, if so, for how long? (Could that player be the catcher for one pitch? One batter?)

So, according to the above rules interpretations. This should be legal.

DP hits a single, arrives at first safely. Flex is inserted to run for DP. Flex is starting pitcher or has pitched in the previous half-inning. Flex advances to second safely, therefore earned the base. Courtesy runner inserted for Flex(Pitcher).

Yes?

wjdempkowski said:

So, according to the above rules interpretations. This should be legal.

DP hits a single, arrives at first safely. Flex is inserted to run for DP. Flex is starting pitcher or has pitched in the previous half-inning. Flex advances to second safely, therefore earned the base. Courtesy runner inserted for Flex(Pitcher).

Yes?

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No, the pitcher and catcher must bat for themselves.