Is an on-deck batter required?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by CoachP

So in the Detroit/Miami game sitch, an umpire should stop the game until a batter shows up in the circle?

First, as I read the play, there was an on-deck batter.

Second, I'm not an MLB umpire, but my guess would be that the HP umpire or the umpire on that line, or the crew chief would just make a comment to the effect that "hey skip -- we need an on-deck batter" and continue the game. And this would be only if it was obviously a delay in sending one out.

(Similar to two on deck batters in college -- just a quiet "hey guys, only one, please" gets the job done.)

[CoachP]

Yes, he was there, but I was watching and wondering the same thing, WHY is he there?

In that sitch, if he WASN'T there, would the crew stop the game until someone showed up? (That's how I meant the question to come out, Bob!)

Not familiar with MLB rules, but if a PH was in the circle, is he now officially in the game? Or a better question would be, when is a PH officially in the game?

[bob jenkins]

Originally Posted by CoachP

Yes, he was there, but I was watching and wondering the same thing, WHY is he there?

In that sitch, if he WASN'T there, would the crew stop the game until someone showed up? (That's how I meant the question to come out, Bob!)

Not familiar with MLB rules, but if a PH was in the circle, is he now officially in the game? Or a better question would be, when is a PH officially in the game?

When he's announced, or if he's not announced when:
(2) If a batter, he takes his place in the batter’s box;

[CoachP]

Thanks Bob!

[bluehair]

Originally Posted by CoachP

In that sitch, if he WASN'T there, would the crew stop the game until someone showed up?

If he wasn't there and the umpires didn't stop the game until he was, no one other than an umpire would have noticed/cared.

If he wasn't there and the umpires did stop the game until he was, everyone would have noticed/cared/criticized them for killing the flow of the game/OOO.