BOO Argument

[Dakota]

I concede the ruling - I was wrong. But, this is just to explain my reasoning.

Assume the offensive coach approached the PU after the first pitch to B5. At that point, 7-2-C-1 says the correction may be made without penalty. Hence, B5 is replaced at bat with the legal batter, which is B4, but since according to 7-2-C-4, B4 cannot be removed from the base to bat, B4 is skipped without penalty. It does not say B4 is not the proper batter. It says IF the proper batter is on base, don't remove the runner to bat but skip the proper batter. Fine.

OTOH, suppose B5 completes the turn at bat and the defense appeals. The rule to be applied is now 7-2-C-2. And 7-2-C-2a says the batter who should have batted is ruled out. The batter who should have batted is B4. 7-2-C-4 does NOT say if the proper batter is on base, the proper batter may not be ruled out for failure to bat. It says the proper batter may not be removed from the base to bat. Hence, my reasoning - B4 is ruled out.