ASA: Extra Players, a batting Flex, and a skipped DP hitter

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by youngump

This seems reasonable enough but why does the list the flex last rule trump the rule about writing positions next to names. That is why go this way instead of saying that the identified flex was the flex but written in the wrong line?

Among other reasons, mostly because you cannot justify any umpire accepting the lineup as written. Secondarily, the vast majority of umpires would have zero chance of fixing this correctly. Thirdly, I suspect you would get three different rulings from any four UIC's, including any three members of the ASA NUS for most permutations of this lineup. Finally, because the coaches in that game would have zero chance of accepting whatever they were told the penalty is (one turned in this mess, the other doesn't know to appeal at the proper time, and the PU accepted it, so why do we believe you now??!!!).

The ONLY saving grace in this situation is that the appeal came with a batter in the box after pitches were thrown; that legalized everything to that point, and any decision made about BOO would only result in the "proper" batter assuming that count. But, still a lose/lose/lose proposition; perception is reality, even more in umpiring than most any other situation.

Some day, those making rules will recognize that positions are generally unnecessary and pointless, other than to identify the DP that (by rule) is married to the last person listed, and to identify which players are eligible for courtesy runners. Well, except NCAA, where justifying SID salaries to maintain extended stats is a priority.