ASA substitution question

[David Emerling]

I saw this play happen at a recent 18U tournament. I would like some of you ASA gurus' opinions.

A pinch-hitter comes to the plate for one of the starters. The offensive manager fails to report the substitution. The batter reaches first safely. At this time the manager wants to reenter the original player to run. As he is discussing this reentry with the plate umpire, it is discovered that he failed to report the batter in the first place. The coach then reports the substitution (belatedly) to the plate umpire and then reenters the starter.

The umpire announces to the other team that the batter who just batted is being reported into the game by the offense. And then the umpire reports that the starter (for whom the unreported player batted) is now reentering the game as the runner.

Before the next pitch, the defensive manager appeals that the batter was an unreported sub and wants her called out. The umpire agrees and the unreported sub is called out.

The offense complains that their late reporting of the sub preceded the appeal and that the appeal cannot be recognized because it was not noticed in time.

Who was correct?

David Emerling
Memphis, TN