The difference is that he says if the league is using free subs in Fall ball, that we should also, without say-so from the league, allow wanton abuse of the courtesy runner rule.

My league is using free subs for fall ball. There's no way in HE*& any umpire I know would allow a coach to "CR" for the shortstop, solely because at that specific moment he thinks he'll be moving SS to P after the inning ends.

My point --- if your league doesn't address this SPECIFICALLY, you are erring in assuming they want this rule abused. Lacking direction from the league, I think it's a huge mistake to allow this.

Either way, the coach says, "Speedy Gonzales is going to run for the shortstop" and the next inning the shortstop re-appears on defense.

And, at least here, the coach wouldn't even say anything -- the runner (whether sub or "cr") would just go out (assuming time was called, etc.)

Mike,

If the league is using "free substitution" (as most HS Fall Ball leagues around here seem to), the CR rule has no meaning.

JM

Fall ball is a great place to polish up your plate meeting mechanics.

"Skip, we're free substituting today?"
"Yes."
"Great, I'll let you guys handle lineup issues then. Since you both agree to this, we won't have any problems. I won't be recording changes, okay?"
"You got it."
"Anything else?"
"If one of us gets up by more than ten, we'll call it. Give us fifteen and we'll start the second game."
"Sounds good. Any problems, ask me and I'll do my best to help you. We won't be arguing anything today. Good luck, guys."

Pick your battles carefully. If both teams agree to free substitute, go for it. I will have one less thing to worry about. Put the lineup cards in your back pocket and forget about them. It's a beautiful thing.

OK, I see the disconnect now. Around here, "free substitution" means "free DEFENSIVE substitution" - it's often (but not always) accompanied by "bat the lineup" (often depending on whether a team has 2-4 extra players or significantly more).

Most of the Fall ball I have done involves Balls/Strikes and outs. The only paperwork involved has to do with money. Thats about as technical as it gets.