Unreported sub
 

Unreported substitute S1 comes to the plate for B1 and takes a pitch. The defense requests time and properly appeals that S1 is unreported.

Simplified answers:
ASA: S1 is disqualified, and all play stands. B1 can re-enter if eligible, or a legal sub can take S1's place with the same count. [4-6-c(1)]
NFHS: S1 is declared officially in the game. A team warning is issued. Second offense restricts the unreported sub and the coach to the bench for the remainder of the game. [3-6-7]
NCAA: S1 is called out and declared officially in the game. The next proper batter shall bat. [8.3.3.3.1]

Why do the three codes have such differing penalties for the same thing?

Edited to correct the NFHS ruling.

NFHS isn't quite correct.

Unreported subs are not called out. The first occurance is a team warning. The second occurance is restriction for the unreported sub, and the coach. The player for whom the unreported sub entered, or an eligible sub will then replace the restricted, unreported sub.

If S1 was an illegal sub, then you would be correct. 3-4-2

Because they can.

I stand corrected...I went to the illegal sub portion and not the unreported sub portion.

Just to clarify, 1st time you warn the coach and put S1 in the game; 2nd time you restrict S1 and the Coach to the bench, eligible player may enter ... correct?

I have had the privilege to have spent many quality hours of rules discussions with some of the major movers and shakers; starting with Merle and Henry, and others who have attended the rules meetings of the other major softball organizations. Even so, the following is my opinion and/or understanding based on those conversations. I will immediately state that no one should consider the following a statement of given facts.

As other posters are fond of stating, the ASA rulebook preceded the others. Many of ASA's rules have been written over time in reaction to what coaches or players have done or tried to do during ASA tournaments. Additionally, ASA rules are generally intended to be universal, covering youth to seniors, male, female, and coed, fastpitch, slowpitch, and modified pitch.

I believe the ASA rule was written to cover and penalize what was perceived as intentional acts to deceive the opposition, and possibly the umpires, too; making substitutions, but not reporting them, so that the players could be re-used. So, the steepest penalty is ASA's; disqualify the sub. And, if they wait until the end of the at-bat, also treat similar to batting out order; declare the batter out, keep other outs. After all, not only did the coach fail to report the sub, the SUB failed to report the sub. But, since many adult teams don't have dedicated coaches, the coach is not affected, just the player.

NFHS wrote their own rulebook next. In this, as well as similar categories, NFHS wanted to allow for unintentional mistakes, as the players are all youths, and the coaches are often less informed than coaches participating in ASA Championships, may have fewer assistants to help, etc. So, they set a warning in place for the first offense; if it happens again, it is then less an accident, and the more severe penalty applies, restricting the sub. Further, since NFHS does hold coaches accountable for their team, the coach is retricted, too.

Last, the NCAA rulebook. Professional coaches, young adult players, and the concept that even clerical errors must have a penalty, but, my goodness, no coach would ever INTENTIONALLY deceive an opponent or the umpires, would they? :rolleyes: :rolleyes: So, outs are recorded for unreported subs, or wearing the wrong jersey number, but no player or (heaven forbid) coach is ever taken out of the game for the transgression.

Again, no written or confirmable information available, but this is what I have gleaned from conversations about rules and philosophies of the organizations.

Correct.

High schools also have the added burden of insuring there is always a school "coach/employee" in attendence. Toss the coaches and the game is over.