Bob,
I had not previously seen that very well spelled out in either the rule book or the casebook. Perhaps it is just that I have always had an improper interpretation. When I read pitcher/catcher or F1/F2, I thought of them as people in the batting order not as a defensive position.
I'm looking in an old NFHS book (2003)
Under Suggested Speed-Up Rules at the end of Rule 10
At any time the team at bat may use courtesy runners for the pitcher and/or catcher.
The same runner may not be used for both POSITIONS. Neither the pitcher or the catcher will be required to leave the game under such circumstances.
In the same year's casebook
CR 5 Situation: McCormick is a courtesy runner for F2 in the first inning. He then is a courtesy runner for F1 in the sixth inning. Ruling: Illegal.
The same player cannot be a courtesy runner for both POSITIONS. The illegal substitute is declared out and ejected.
In the past, when I tracked courtesy runners it was always "Number 12 for number 24 in the 3rd inning." It sounds like it should have been "Number 12 for F1 (the pitcher POSITION) in the 3rd inning." And I shouldn't care who the pitcher is or what his number is.
And next inning when F1 (Abel) and F7 (George) switch positions, so that George is now pitching, I can again let number 12 be a courtesy runner but now for George. And number 12 cannot ever run for F2 (Billy) in any inning, as long as Billy is not pitching.
I wonder how many times I let that get hosed up and never knew I was wrong?
I'll bet you I'm not alone on misunderstanding this.
