Substitution Rule
 

I have misplaced my ASA Rule Book and of course, you can't get one online so I need some guidance. Can someone explain to me the substitution/pinch runner rule? We are currently in our end of season city tournament and I watched the team that we play next last night. During their game, they substituted their power hitters each inning with a fast runner, and then re-entered the hitters the next time they came up. Is this legal? I saw it at least 5 times. The rule in our league is one pinch runner per game unless otherwise agreed upon by the opposing team. What is the rule for substituting in this capacity and a players re-entry into a game. I need to be ready for this should it come up tomorrow night.

Thanks - Joey

Each player, starter or sub, may re-enter once.
The "power hitter" can be replaced on base with a sub/pinch runner and then re-enter. If done a second time, the starter "power hitter" may not re-enter.

What CecilOne said is true, but you may also have been seeing the use of a legal courtesy runner for pitcher and catcher; not just substitutes with re-entry.

Also, the "base bandit" is legal under some jurisdictions. This weekend, I saw one substitute to run for three players in one inning. (Kept getting home, took a drink of water, then re-entered the game for the next batter).

Sounds like you may have a local rule that supercedes the ASA rule.

The ASA rule has been noted by Cecil and Steve.

If your league is batting 9, and following standard ASA substitution rules, and the "power hitters" are not the pitcher or catcher, then a "pinch runner" is merely a normal subsitute and the "power hitter" leaves the game.

The "power hitter" may re-enter, but if pinch run for again, she may not re-enter after that.

Also, the same pinch runner may not be used for 2 different offensive players. The substitute (pinch runner), if re-entered, must re-enter in the same position in the batting order, which means if used as a pinch runner again, must pinch run for whoever is in the position in the batting order where she pinch ran before (which would, presumably, be the same "power hitter").

Also, if these "pinch runners" are re-entered on defense, the player they subbed for by pinch running must not be in the game (because you cannot have two players occupying the same batting order position at the same time).

Now, if either of these "power hitters" are the pitcher or catcher, they can use a courtesy runner for them. The courtesy runner is not considered a substitute and the player she is running for is not considered to have left the game. However, the courtesy runner must be an eligible substitute who has not yet been in the game, and the same courtesy runner may not be used for both the pitcher and catcher.

Hope this helps.

But Mike said not to supplement the answer with tangential info. :D

So, who on this board listens to Mike? :D

Assuming fast pitch.

Guilty, Unless Otherwise Stated

TANGENTIAL?????

Outside of WV, that means having the aspects of a tangent. :D :D

Is that like some line off in another direction??????;)