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.)