Substitution on Overturned HR
 

This happened a few years ago, and I'm sure it was discussed. However, I think it would be a good discussion today.

Batter hits fly ball to deep outfield. Initially, umpires rule in-play and runner gets a single. A pinch runner is brought in and the umpires then decide to review the play (obviously before another pitch is thrown, but after the pinch runner replaces the batter). The review overturns the in-play and changes to a HR.

The OC then asks for the original batter to be placed back in the lineup, claiming he wouldn't have put in the pinch runner had it been a home run originally.

As an umpire, what do you do?

If the umpires are going to decide on their own to go for the review, then go for the review before accepting the substitute. If the coach asks for it then he should have asked before the pr.

Agree with Bob. PR can run out the rest of the home run though. :)

That play actually happened. The B/R was officially credited with a HR but NOT the run scored. The PR got credit for that.

One would think that once the substitution was made you can't unring the bell. Sort of like waiting for the pinch hitter to be officially announced before changing pitchers.

Upon further review / Giants win in 10 after Molina's weird homer

This is the article about the Bengie Molina HR. The Giants played under protest but they won so it didn't get ruled on. I can see why MLB does not do what I'm going to suggest, but it wouldn't hurt to have MLB respond to each protest with reasons and rules and interpretations cited. It would be a good way to build a "case law" book that even fans would have access to. It would be how the Armbrister/Fisk play was commented on.

MLB already has a rule for this


Rule 9.02 (c)

If the umpires consult after a play and change a call that had
been made, then they have the authority to take all steps that they may deem
necessary, in their discretion, to eliminate the results and consequences of the earlier
call that they are reversing, including placing runners where they think those
runners would have been after the play, had the ultimate call been made as the
initial call, disregarding interference or obstruction that may have occurred on the
play; failures of runners to tag up based upon the initial call on the field; runners
passing other runners or missing bases; etc., all in the discretion of the umpires.

You asked what do you do?

If the OC wants to reverse his substititue then so be it. As the rule states umpires have descretion when a call is over-turned.

Pete Booth

C'mon Pete, this thread isn't even one page old yet, and you have already posted the solution. Ya gotta let it run on for 5 or 6 pages first!:rolleyes:

Steve I hear ya

Is this one of those ESPN's "Common man" answers.

Pete Booth