FLEX batting

[cpa]

Need help on this one -- came up in our preseason meetings

Federation rules -- after the #9 batter completes her at bat, the FLEX comes up to bat and takes a pitch before detection.

Is the FLEX now in the game as an illegal sub on offense for the #1 hitter, thereby necessitating RE-ENTRY if the #1 hitter is put in to cure the problem?

[SRW]

Originally Posted by cpa

Need help on this one -- came up in our preseason meetings

Federation rules -- after the #9 batter completes her at bat, the FLEX comes up to bat and takes a pitch before detection.

Is the FLEX now in the game as an illegal sub on offense for the #1 hitter, thereby necessitating RE-ENTRY if the #1 hitter is put in to cure the problem?

Need more info.
Is the #1 hitter the DP?
Remember, the FLEX can only bat for the DP.

[JefferMC]

I had this happen on my DD's middle school team while I was scoring. The Flex saw her name in the #10 slot on the dugout lineup and didn't realize that she wasn't supposed to bat (I think once the coaches understand DP/Flex, that they out to spend at least 10 minutes explaining it to the players). Anyway, she was late getting out to the on-deck circle, so by the time I saw what she was doing and got the coach's attention in the 3B coaches box to tell her that her flex was batting, she was next to the plate and a pitch was on the way which was hit and the batter was out.

The other team's scorekeeper apparently didn't understand what had happened.

My understanding that the batter would be out as soon as detected after taking a pitch but before her turn at bat is resolved. What would happen if she hits fairly and gets on base I'm still muddy on. And/or any additional penalties on the batter or coach (ejection?)

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by JefferMC

... What would happen if she hits fairly and gets on base I'm still muddy on.

She is out and the play is nullified, (but any outs made stand) if detected before the next pitch.

Originally Posted by JefferMC

And/or any additional penalties on the batter or coach (ejection?)

No, other than what I said in the post above.

[cpa]

To clarify my initial scenario -- the #1 hitter is not the DP -- that would be too easy

My main question is -- since we have an offensive sub for the #1 hitter, albeit an illegal one, does the #1 hitter have to burn her re-entry if she comes back in the game?

Seems most folks are saying yes

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by cpa

My main question is -- since we have an offensive sub for the #1 hitter, albeit an illegal one, does the #1 hitter have to burn her re-entry if she comes back in the game?

Yes.........

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Dakota

She is out and the play is nullified, (but any outs made stand) if detected before the next pitch. No, other than what I said in the post above.

Tom, I disagree. NFHS 3-4-2.b, when discovered before the next pitch, play is nullified (all outs stand), illegal sub is out, illegal sub is restricted, B1 does not lose her turn at bat (illegal sub supercedes BOO, even though both occured). NFHS 3-4-2.c, when discovered after a pitch, play stands, but illegal sub is out if still on base, and illegal sub is restricted.

The restriction is occasionally overlooked because it is listed separately for all subsections of Article 2; but an illegal sub remains illegal whenever she is discovered, and must always be restricted and replaced with a legal sub.

[Dakota]

Steve, I referred to my earlier post where I stated she was restricted.

Also, I disagree that both BOO and illegal sub occurred, since they are mutually exclusive in the situation of the FLEX batting for a non-DP. It is not considered a sub for the DP, but batting out of order. It is considered an illegal sub for the #1 batter, batting in the correct order.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

B1 does not lose her turn at bat ...

Why not? See case plays 3.4.2 A & B.

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by cpa

Need help on this one -- came up in our preseason meetings

Federation rules -- after the #9 batter completes her at bat, the FLEX comes up to bat and takes a pitch before detection.

Is the FLEX now in the game as an illegal sub on offense for the #1 hitter, thereby necessitating RE-ENTRY if the #1 hitter is put in to cure the problem?

Assuming the #1 spot batter is NOT the DP, this is an illegal substitute (NFHS 3-3-6g). Your FLEX player is removed from the game and restricted to the bench. She is out (in the situation you described). Your #1 batter has lost her turn at bat. #2 is due up. When your #1 batter re-enters she has usied up her re-entry rights, or you may properly sub for the #1 batter.

If the #1 batter is the DP, this is an unreported substitute, and a team warning will be issued, with the next offending player being restricted to the bench (NFHS 3-6-7 PENALTY).