Rule 7.14 in the Little League Rulebook now allows a player who has not appeared in the batting order to be used as a pinch-runner.
A coach came up to me today and asked me about a tournament rule. He wants to know if the pinch-runner has to play his one at bat or (3) outs. He said that he has received two different rulings from directors. I told him that in my opinion pinch running did not qualify for the manditory play rule. I guess I need an official ruling.
The thing that gave me a bad impression was that the coach said that he only kept an extra kid so he could run and not have to bat or field him. I believe it is wrong when the "all-star" teams don't field a full roster so that the best players can play. It is a large enough league that they could fill the 14 roster spots and still have a good team. Instead, they will probably have 10 guys so they can have the best team. I would like to see Little league step in and require that all 14 spots be filled if enough players try out. IMHO
Thanks
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Mon Jun 24, 2002, 08:15pm
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