[AtlUmpSteve]

We (Georgia) asked for a ruling from Mary Struckhoff. Her reply was that the pitcher or catcher "earned" their way just as much as any other position in the batting order, by making the last out in the previous inning, thus were entitled to a courtesy runner in ITB. She further commented, as did you, that refusing the CR in that case would be counterproductive to the intent of the CR rule, and that the "earned" requirement was to stop the ingenious efforts to circumvent the intent and limitations.