batting out of turn....

[Rita C]

For me it is easiest to remember that a pitch legalizes the PREVIOUS batter. When an appeal is made by the defense that's as far back as you need to go. The next step is to figure out who should have followed that batter in the order. If that isn't the person who just completed an at bat, the PROPER batter is called out.

If the batter at the plate is in the middle of a count, simply put the PROPER batter in with the same count.

Anything that happens DURING an illegal at bat stands. (stolen base, pickoff, advance on a wild pitch)

Anything that happens BECAUSE the ball was hit, OR because the illegal batter reaches first base is nullified.

Much easier to understand than to explain.

Rita