Batting Order

[rwest]

Originally posted by mcrowder
This rule says exactly what it means - you guys are reading an extra comma or semicolon or something into it somewhere.

No runner is removed from the base to bat in their proper position. Stop. Exception (noted by the word "except"!) - a runner removed because of (2) above.

In other words, unless the runner was removed already, you do NOT remove a player from a base in order to bat - that batter's spot is simply skipped with no penalty.

Very easy. Don't make it harder than it is.

I like the way you've written the rule. Unfortunately, you didn't write the ASA rulebook. The rule actually says....

No runner shall be removed from the base occupied except the batter-runner who has been taken off the base by the umpire as in (2) above to bat in the proper place.

The problem is that rule 2 never mentions that the batter-runner is removed. It's implied and therein lies the problem. To me the problem with rule 7-2-C-4 is the sentence "to bat in the proper place". It makes it sound like the player is removed to bat next. This is not the case. The runner is removed, period. I just wish the rulebook said as much.