[IRISHMAFIA]

Originally posted by Dakota

But, doesn't the rule say the protest has to be made while the player is still in the game?

Apparently, this one was still in the game, but what if the unreported sub has been replaced by the original player before the other team protests? Is there any penalty?

I don't see how this is different, in principle, from appealing a BOO after the next pitch. Too bad, too late.

Since the rule says, "The use of an unreported substitute is handled as a protest by the offended team while the player is in the game," why would this be different? Am I reading the rule wrong?

I can't find a case play where the unreported substitute is discovered after he has left the game.

Yes, it does, but think this out. Say an unreported substitue enters the game. There is no doubt or discussion on this issue from either team. Now, just because the opposing team and you fail to catch this, you are going to allow this player to retain their substitution privileges and enter for any of the 9,10 or 12 players in the line-up? For that matter, say you did notice it, but didn't do anything about it.

Jane batted and hit a HR for Susie in the clean-up position in the 4th inning, but did not report. Then in the 7th, you are going to allow her to bat for Debbie in the lead-off position with the game on the line. What are you going to tell the opposing coach when it is brought to your attention that Jane hit the HR for Susie in the 4th and cannot bat for Debbie? "Yes, coach, you are correct, but I'm going to allow it because you didn't catch it at the time"?

Another possibility. Jane bats for Susie and gets a double. Coach is granted time and runs Susie out to 2B. However, s/he just turns the other way and does not report. After a pitch to the batter, the coach complains of the unreported substitute, but Jane is no longer in the game. You cannot call Susie out because you don't ever have her leaving the game, yet you just saw and exchange of runners without anyone reporting such. You cannot blow it off, because the offending coach has yet to say anything to you.

And, yes, I'm aware that most on this board would have handled this with preventive umpiring and insisting on talking to the coach who made the change.

I will not debate that the wording indicates exactly what you are saying in the rule, it does. However, the POE makes no such statement. It only states that when the unreported substitute is brought to your attention, the player will be declared illegal.

Is this a problem waiting to happen? It is if a coach is reading this thread