Batting out of order

[Forest Ump]

I have always thought that what is written in the J/R is a great way to determine the last legal batter in BOO appeals.

When an at bat has just been completed and the defense appeals that the offense has BOO, the plate umpire should:

1. Determine which players were the last two players to bat.

2. Acknowledge that the second last player to bat was (and always is) legal due to the pitch or pitches made to the player who batted after him.

3. Locate the second last batter's name on the lineup card. The player following him on the line up card is the proper batter; such proper batter was responsible for taking his place at bat as the last batter. [6.02a] If any other player batted, he was improper.

I have explained this to several people in my association and have gotten back glassy eyed stares. I don't know why. This makes great sense to me because it determines the last legal batter. Once that is established the penalties are easy to enforce.