flex bats

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

This has happened to me as well...

The Flex sees her name on the line up in the tenth position and goes out to bat. If the coach isn't paying attention, she takes her turn at bat. Then the number 1 batter comes up and takes her turn. Granted, they should understand the position better than that, but, stuff happens.

So, I am curious about what be done in these situations.

1) OP's situation that the Flex makes the third out ending the inning and it is brought up by the defense? Is the Flex an Illegal batter, an improper sub, or what? Who leads off the next inning?

2) I guess it would be the same thing if Flex made a first or second out, but the situation was noticed before #1 takes a pitch.

3) Flex hits safely, and is brought up before #1 takes a pitch.

3) The game continues because #1 and #2 bat in turn and only then does someone bring up the issue? (When I saw this happen, the score keeper had to put the flex's batting results on the 10th line)

4) The error is caught by the defense while Flex is still in the batters box?

Here's my evaluation. Remembering this set of questions did not specify NFHS, NCAA, or ASA. In all cases, the FLEX is an illegal sub/batter/player, UNLESS #1 happens to be the DP. In that case, it is an unreported substitution, and the appropriate unreported sub rule applies, only.

1) The FLEX is an illegal sub who batted in #1's position. FLEX is disqualified/restricted, and either a sub for #1 or a re-entry for #1 is required. Also, a sub for FLEX, or else the DP takes that place (down to 9). #1's batting position was used, so #2 leads off next inning.

2) Same as 1). Keep all other outs, if any, also made on play.

3) FLEX is still an illegal sub who batted in #1's position. FLEX is disqualified/restricted, and either a sub for FLEX, or else the DP takes that place (down to 9). #1 has an unreported re-entry, and batted out of order (in #2's position). In NFHS, warning; in ASA & NCAA, #1 is also disqualified. #2 is legitimately batting after #1, so, too late to consider BOO.

4) Answered by NFHS casebook; FLEX is an illegal sub, out and disqualified. NCAA the same, but verbiage is illegal player and ejected. In ASA, an illegal player is disqualified, but not out.