Courtesy Runner in ITB
 

I know we discussed this earlier this year, but I can't find the topic. If you know which one or remember our conclusion, please post it.

If the runner placed on 2nd for ITB is the pitcher or catcher, can a CR be used? I think the issue was whether this is considered "reaching base safely". I think it is, which would allow the CR, but I don't remember if there was a conflicting interpretation.

We've had this discussion locally as well. I don't see why it couldn't be used and we've actually allowed it locally in NF games.

If the player was actually the pitcher or the catch in the previous half inning it is okay or if the team has a legal substitute.

I was assuming all the other provisions of the rule.


???:confused:

ASA 8.10.A
The team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or the catcher at any time...

NFHS
8.9.2
...The pitcher or catcher must bat and reach base legally (or earn their way on base) in order to be eligible for a courtesy runner.

To answer the OP, I would allow it in an ASA game, but if it was an NFHS game using the ITB, I would not allow it. I wouldn't consider the runner to have had earned her way on base.

Why not? She earned her way on base because she is the person preceding the batter leading off the inning.

Thanks, Mark, that's the difference I was looking for.
PONY has not added that NFHS wording, so a CR in that case in PONY would be ok.

Because it quite clearly says "MUST BAT AND" ... earn her way on base. MUST BAT is pretty plain, and so is the "AND" part... and there is no reason for this sentence to be in the book unless they are specifically excluding other ways of getting on base (such as ITB) without having batted.

I really don't think that was the intent, just the usual poorly edited overemphasis on another point; not using the DP or a pinch-hitter and then using a CR.
Even the extreme of "earning" the way on base by making an out in the previous inning is nonsense :D

I don't think it was poor editing. The first year NFHS changed from DH to DP/Flex, there were a number of coaches up here that would have the pitcher as the flex with a less than speedy DP. DP would get on, flex would enter the game, and then they would use a courtesy runner for the pitcher. That way they could use the sub as a CR and not burn a substitution. The book didn't disallow this move, so it was allowed. They obviously burned the DP, but they were going to anyway, and they saved the sub for at least another move later. Our NFHS state UIC took this to the NFHS and they gave them a verbal ruling: the pitcher/catcher must earn their way on base. The CR rule was changed to reflect that interpretation.

Exactly, no mention of ITB.

I think that is because the NFHS doesn't include the ITB in their rules. Minnesota allows high schools to use the ITB with weekend invitationals to keep the tournaments on time. I can only guess that other states are utilizing the ITB with NFHS games as well, in some capacity.

For all the "intent/spirit of the rule" fans, the CR is a speed-up rule. If the pitcher or catcher is the scheduled ITB, that player may still be on the base at the end of the half inning. Therefore, by not allowing the CR for the ITB, the purpose of the rule is defeated.

Mark may be correct that NFHS just doesn't address it because it isn't part of their rules.

Georgia requested (through the proper channels) a ruling from Mary Struckhoff, rules editor for NFHS, and was told that a courtesy runner absolutely could and should be allowed for F1 or F2 in the ITB.

The language "(or earn their way on base)" is an either/or statement, and is to be used as an alternative to "must bat and reach base legally". F1 and F2 earn their way on base the absolute same way every other player does in ITB; by virtue of being the player scheduled to bat 9th in the new inning. The language "must bat and reach base legally" is language meant to make clear that entering F1 or F2 to run for a DP or a sub cannot then lead to a courtesy runner; in that case, F1 or F2 met neither condition of the either/or statment.

Nsa
 

In NSA last year, the wording actually could have easily been interpreted that CR could NOT be used in ITB if the pitcher/catcher did not reach base in that inning via an at-bat. In some states, it was allowed. In others, it was not.

It has been changed this year to clearly allow the use of CR during ITB.

Blu