Batting out of order

[UMP25]

I actually had, during a tournament game several years ago, the official scorekeeper (meaning he wasn't representing a specific team; he was the tourney's scorer) yell loudly to me from the booth that the wrong guy batted. I eventually went over to politely tell him to STFU.

[DG]

As a defensive strategy you always want to the let the BOO batter bat. You have an out one way or another, but what if he hits into a double play? You let that ride and see if the next batter is the one that is supposed to follow the one that just batted. If not let him bat too and you will get a third out after he is done by bringing up that he is not the correct batter.

Last year I was BU in a game where a guy batted out of order and grounded out. Offensive coach came out before the next pitch and told my partner he had batted out of order so my partner calls the correct batter out. Defensive coach comes out and says he will take the out instead. My partner calls me over and after brief discussion we let the out stand and the next batter was the one who followed the guy who just grounded out. Since defensive guy did not bring it up he was willing to take the out. Maybe the better hitter had been skipped, or maybe he was hoping for another out when the batter who followed the incorrect batter was not the correct batter.

[Forest Ump]

DG, was your reasoning for letting the out stand due to the defense not appealling the BOO? The reasoning being that only the defense can appeal. Absent that you have nothing. Is that right?

Before I read that, I thought that once it was brought up either by the defense or offense you would be obligated to make it correct.

[DG]

Originally Posted by Forest Ump

DG, was your reasoning for letting the out stand due to the defense not appealling the BOO? The reasoning being that only the defense can appeal. Absent that you have nothing. Is that right?

Before I read that, I thought that once it was brought up either by the defense or offense you would be obligated to make it correct.

That was our reasoning after discussing with both coaches. The at bat was over, offensive coach came to the plate with his lineup card in hand, when defensive coach came out to see what discussion was about he was advised that we have a BOO and he said "I know, but I'll take the play, I'm not appealing it". That pretty much ended our discussion.

[Welpe]

Originally Posted by DG

You have an out one way or another, but what if he hits into a double play? You let that ride and see if the next batter is the one that is supposed to follow the one that just batted. If not let him bat too and you will get a third out after he is done by bringing up that he is not the correct batter.

The double play would stand in Fed, not in OBR (not sure about NCAA). In OBR, you would declare the proper batter out and put the runners back on base. Source: The PUBC Umpire Manual, Pg. 13-15

[DG]

Originally Posted by Welpe

The double play would stand in Fed, not in OBR (not sure about NCAA). In OBR, you would declare the proper batter out and put the runners back on base. Source: The PUBC Umpire Manual, Pg. 13-15

Thanks. I have only done FED ball lately. I will have to remember this when summer leagues start.

Per BRD, NCAA is same as OBR.

[UMP25]

OBR and NCAA B.O.O. are the same.

[UMP25]

Originally Posted by DG

Last year I was BU in a game where a guy batted out of order and grounded out. Offensive coach came out before the next pitch and told my partner he had batted out of order so my partner calls the correct batter out. Defensive coach comes out and says he will take the out instead. My partner calls me over and after brief discussion we let the out stand and the next batter was the one who followed the guy who just grounded out. Since defensive guy did not bring it up he was willing to take the out. Maybe the better hitter had been skipped, or maybe he was hoping for another out when the batter who followed the incorrect batter was not the correct batter.

You what? How can you allow the play to stand when the defense brings up BOO? If the defense brings it up, you've got to make the BOO ruling. There is no option of taking the play or penalty. This isn't a catcher's interference or defaced ball pitch here (OBR option plays).

[UmpJM]

UMP25,

If I'm reading DG's post correctly, it was the Offensive Coach who brought it up, after his improper batter had (unsuccessfully) completed his at bat.

The defensive coach said let it stand. Since he didn't bring it up, I believe the umpire's in DG's sitch ruled correctly in letting the play stand.

JM

[mbyron]

JM, I believe that the point is that this is not a play where there is any choice (by either coach). Once BOO is brought to the attention of the umpire by either team, the umpire must rectify it according to the rule. This rectification will take different forms depending on the situation (a pitch thrown to the next batter or not, etc.). Nowhere is there scope for choosing to take the play, as in catcher's interference.

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by mbyron

JM, I believe that the point is that this is not a play where there is any choice (by either coach). Once BOO is brought to the attention of the umpire by either team, the umpire must rectify it according to the rule. This rectification will take different forms depending on the situation (a pitch thrown to the next batter or not, etc.). Nowhere is there scope for choosing to take the play, as in catcher's interference.

I agree that there's no "choice" once teh BOO has been appealed. But, once the batter has completed his turn at bat only the defense may appeal. So, if the offense comes out and says "that batter was improper", I'm giving the defense every chance to NOT appeal it (which has the effect of lettign the play stand).

[UMP25]

I agree with Mr. Jenkins. That was my implication to begin with.

[DG]

Originally Posted by mbyron

JM, I believe that the point is that this is not a play where there is any choice (by either coach). Once BOO is brought to the attention of the umpire by either team, the umpire must rectify it according to the rule. This rectification will take different forms depending on the situation (a pitch thrown to the next batter or not, etc.). Nowhere is there scope for choosing to take the play, as in catcher's interference.

Only the defense can appeal BOO after the at bat is over. Since the defense coach did not he is choosing to take the play by not appealing BOO.