Fed - Courtesy Runner

[Rich]

Originally posted by joemoore
Projected means "in the future". A substitution is a change in the lineup card. All substitutions are marked immediately on the lineup card by rule. If the substitution is made immediately on the lineup card, it is not a projected sub.

I'm a logical person, I teach logic at the college level. To me it is common sense to go 100% by the lineup card. In real baseball it is not an issue because there are no courtesy runners.

I'd like to see the FED make a ruling on the issue. I could not find one reference to "pinch hitter" or "offensive substitute" or anything else that would indicate a player does not have a fielding position. The rule would be real simple: either define a player with no position, or say an offensive sub maintains the same position as the player he replaces.

Common sense would indicate that the substitute catcher needs to get his gear on and the substitute pitcher needs to warm up. Common sense would indicate the rule should be allowed for its intended purpose -- to speed up the game. And common sense should dictate that a ridiculous coach should be warned about unsporting actions for using a courtesy runner for a player and then not using the player as a pitcher or catcher.

Anyway, that's my opinion, that's the way I'll call it until I get fired or they change the book (or someone can point me to a rule or FED approved ruling on the specific issue.)

You are always free to do what you want. But you may want to consider Case Play 3.1.1 Situation E on page 19 of the 2004 case book. While it doesn't deal with courtesy runners, it does show that a pinch hitter doesn't become a defensive player until he takes his position in the field.

However, 3.1.1 situation N on page 20 does directly deal with courtesy runners. It says: "...a courtesy runner would only be allowed to run for the player who was the catcher on defense before coming to bat."

Again you can decide whether this applies to your situation.

I contend it doesn't, because until that pinch hitter or pinch runner assumes a defensive position on the field, he is only a pinch hitter or pinch runner.

But in your games, do what you want. In my games, there will not be a courtesy runner in that situation.

--Rich