NCAA batting out of order?

[Dave Hensley]

I agree this must simply be an error on the exam. That's a classic "trick" question on OBR-based exams, because not many remember the "on either team" reference with respect to the "pitch, play or attempted play" requirement. I don't know NCAA rules well, but that phrase "on either team" is right there in the rule you quoted, so the only logical conclusion is that the test is in error.

[RPatrino]

Maybe I mis-read the question, but aren't the players here warming up between innings? As I read the situation: no pitch, play or attempted play has been made by either team. The action of the illegal batter has not been made legal yet.

So, why uphold the appeal? Because it effects the batting order. B4 is called out for the third out and B5 becomes the legal batter and leads off.

Was this too easy or am I missing something obvious?

[greymule]

Was this too easy or am I missing something obvious?

The latter. There was a pitch to the other team. Therefore, the appeal was not proper. It was not made "before a pitch to the next batter of either team."

Save your copy of the test, ctblu40, preferably sealed in acid-free plastic. It may well contain the first known example of an error on a rules test.

[RPatrino]

As I read the question again, I noticed that the question referenced a complete half inning had passed. A trick question.....shame..shame....

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by RPatrino

As I read the question again, I noticed that the question referenced a complete half inning had passed. A trick question.....shame..shame....

That's why I'm confused. The Batting out of order happened when B5 bats in place of B4. He grounds out and thus ends the top of the sixth. The question then states that "The bottom of the sixth inning is then completed. While the home team is warming up and before the start of the top of the next inning, the home team coach appeals that B5 batted out of turn."

So a whole half inning is completed. How do you as the UIC allow the coach to appeal this?

If this situation happened to me, I would not allow the appeal, but if the coach wants to protest the game, I would note it and make sure the official scorer is aware of the protest and continue the game.

I don't have the 2007 NCAA book yet, was there a change to the appeal rule?

[greymule]

Maybe there's a further trick to this question. All it says is, "The bottom of the sixth inning is then completed." But it doesn't stipulate how.

Perhaps no pitch was thrown in the bottom of the inning. Maybe all three outs resulted from batters who refused to enter the batter's box.

[ctblu40]

Originally Posted by greymule

Maybe there's a further trick to this question. All it says is, "The bottom of the sixth inning is then completed." But it doesn't stipulate how.

Perhaps no pitch was thrown in the bottom of the inning. Maybe all three outs resulted from batters who refused to enter the batter's box.

I guess that's a possibility but...

What exactly is the test writer trying to test here? If he's testing my ability to rule on baseball situations, he has lost.
If he's testing my ability to think outside the box, I suppose he has won.