Courtesy runner question

[WestMichBlue]

Originally Posted by reccer

So, again assuming this is correct, here is how I am reporting to the umpire:

"Blue, that is my DP on base, I am going to drop down to 9 and insert my flex into the batting lineup. Since my flex is the pitcher, I am going to insert a CR for her."

If I am the plate umpire in an NFHS game, I have a short response for you; "No, you are not!"

Courtesy runner rules require that the pitcher (or catcher) must bat and reach base legally in order to be elgible for a CR.

IF - I allowed this to happen, when challenged, your CR would be an illegal substitute (for violating the CR rules) and would be called out and restricted to the bench for the rest of the game.

ASA, however, does not require the player to have earned their way on base, only to be the pitcher or catcher of record at time they got on base. However, IF the FLEX is considered a substitute for the DP, then no CR is allowed under ASA rules. The NFHS is quite clear that replacing a DP with FLEX (or FLEX with DP) is a substitution; the ASA text is less clear.

So - definitely not legal in NFHS; probably not legal in ASA. We will see what knowledgable ASA folks say.

WMB