Batting out of order

[Jay R]

Originally Posted by greymule

Why is this rule so confusing to umpires?

I thought maybe these umps were fresh from Fed or ASA, which handle BOO differently. Except that in the case you describe, the ruling would be the same: Overbay made legal on the pitch to Hill, Zaun thus the proper batter. On the appeal, Zaun out, Hill taken off base, and McDonald the next batter.

If the umps actually ruled the way you say they did, it's an inexcusable lack of knowledge of the rule.

I was watching the game and yes the umpires ruled it exactly like the original post says. I was very surprised. When the umpires were discussing it, the Blue Jays announcers were saying that Hill would be ruled out and Zaun would bat. The umpires screw the call and make the announcers seem like they know the rule.

BTW, it was the second time in 18 years that the Blue Jays committed that mistake (BOO). It happened to me a few weeks ago for the first time im my five years of umpiring experience.