Courtesy runner question

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by CecilOne

However, a comment about the "must bat" aspect. I believe we have clarified that the P or C must reach base on their own; which would include the designated runner in an ITB.

No, you are misapplying the ITB rule, if I understand the result of your statement. In both ASA and NFHS (per Mary Struckhoff), the P and C have earned the base in ITB by the same manner as any other position player; the only requirement to "earn their way on base" is to be 9th scheduled batter in the inning. If the designated tiebreak runner by that requirement is the person who was the pitcher or the catcher when the last out was made in the previous half inning, they are eligible for a courtesy runner, assuming one is available.

That is the reason for the apparently redundent wording of "must bat and reach base legally (or earn their way on base)"; clearly there are ways to earn your way on base without batting and reaching legally. If P batted out of order, she did not reach legally, but is certainly eligible for a courtesy runner at that point; even before a following pitch legalizes the at-bat.