Quote:
Originally Posted by Insane Blue
During the conference you can do it.
After reviewing the line up cards and they become official you then should be asking the coach if they have any changes (usually dropping the Flex who is listed as the pitcher) at this point if the change affects either the Catcher or Pitcher note who the new one is. This is all done before the start of the game which means the player listed as such to start the top of the 1st inning is the only ones allowed a CR.
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I guess I stand corrected then. But that's still not how I read the rule:
8-9-2: In the top of the first inning only, the pitcher and catcher are identified as those players listed on the lineup as the pitcher and catcher; both must face at least the first batter on defense (one pitch).
If Patsy and Cassie is listed as the pitcher and catcher on the official lineup that I accept from the coach at the plate conference, and I say, "These lineups are now official; any changes from this point forward are to be treated as substitutions. Do you have any substitutions that you would like to make at this time?" I always believed the coach can make substitutions for any player except Patsy and Cassie. Of course, the change could be made if either one of them became ill or injured; otherwise, Patsy and Cassie had to pitch and catch for one batter, by rule.
I also don't agree that just because the game hasn't started, those changes are allowed, but once the game starts, they no longer are allowed. There's nothing that I'm aware of that says substitutions at the plate conference are different than substitutions when play has commenced.
So, at what point can the visitors' starting pitcher on the lineup card for be substituted for, despite what 8-9-2 says? Only at the plate conference? After the conference but before coach retreats to the dugout? Right before I call "Play"?