Correct batter is on base??

[AtlUmpSteve]

This is their (NCAA) standard response to any time a coach either 1) abuses a situation, 2) claims the umpire got it it wrong, or 3) over-analyzes a rule. The NCAA comes back with a new rule and countless detail to regulate the situation.

Somewhere, a coach misstated a change, and swore the umpire got it wrong, not that she misstated it. Somewhere, a coach said 3 for 6, the umpire nodded, and before he could check his lineup to say "coach, I can't take that change, 3 has already been in the game", the opposing coach was already appealing an illegal sub, because the sub was "reported". And, despite countless years of umpires handling that situation, the NCAA overanalyzed the wording of the rule and said something had to change.

Years ago (2003 by my research), ASA made an editorial change saying a sub isn't in the game, reported or not, until a pitch or play occurs. That enabled umpires to use preventative officiating, and coaches to correct clerical, or even verbal errors. That has since been modified further, to include the requirement that the sub take an offensive or defensive position; that stopped a dead ball appeal from making the sub "in the game". Again, the result of a defensive team hearing in illegal substitution, immediately making a frivolous dead ball appeal (a play), then appealing the illegal sub; all before the umpire had a chance to look at his lineup card and record (or refuse) the change. In ASA, it didn't (and doesn't) matter if the coach swears the umpire recorded it wrong; the coach is responsible to make legal substitutions, and has always had the right to confirm that the recorded change is what he reported.

But, the NCAA took the approach of mandating a detailed sequence that is intended to make the umpire and coach interaction a full detailed choreographed sequence. We are NOT to accept the common "3 for 6" from the 3rd base coaching box, with 3 standing at the plate ready to pinch hit, or running onto the field to run; even if it is clear and obvious. We must have the coach come to our side while we check our lineup card, show her the lineup card and point out while repeating "#3, Sally Smith for #6, Julie Jones, this spot in the order, right coach?", before recording it, and then reporting it to the official scorer, opposing coach, and announcers (if any).

Granted, there are times you might want to do that; like when the change(s) you are given don't look or sound right. Certainly use preventative officiating, fix (stop) the correctable errors. But to mandate that process, now named RARA (Report, Accept, Record, Announce) for routine changes; yep, overkill, to either protect against an unscrupulous coach, or make up for an incompetent coach.