Courtesy runner question

[CecilOne]

Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve

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 redundant 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.

That's what I said, or at least what I meant; although obviously not clearly and not so eloquently. I was too cryptic about CR being allowed for the ITB runner if a P or C. Mainly trying to point out that "must bat" is as you said, a redundancy for when the P or C lineup spot actually comes up. Thanks for the follow-up.