Courtesy Runner Timing
 

In NSA and High School (KY), can a courtesy runner be inserted for catcher or pitcher at any time while they are on base, or does it have to be done as soon as they first get on base?

There are no time restrictions in FED that limit the use of a courtesy runner. Browsing through the NSA rulebook I see no time restrictions in it either.

NSA 4-6: The player in the batting order where the last out was recorded or any player not currently in the game may replace the current (the player physically playing the position when the 3rd out was recorded) pitcher or catcher as a courtesy runner at any time.

NFHS 8-9-1: The team at bat may use a courtesy runner for the pitcher and/or the catcher at any time.

A lot of teams will leave the catcher in until 2 outs occur (using the courtesy runner rule as it's meant to be used - to give them time to get the gear on and speed up the game).

People act like a courtesy runner is something relatively new.

It was being used in the late '60s in HS baseball in my area for that reason.

I have done tournaments where a CR must be used for F2 if there are two outs. Speeds up the half-inning break.

I disagree that the rule was meant to speed up the game. If that was the case, why have a courtesy runner for the pitcher? Besides, the one-minute-between-innings rule is enough of a speed-up rule, and it behooves the umpire to enforce it to keep the game moving.

I believe the courtesy runner rule was intended to give the two players who typically work the hardest on defense an opportunity to rest while their team is at bat. That's why there's no restriction to using one with less than two outs.

Me too. I don't like forced CR's - had one protested once (yeah, that helped the speed up process); a speedy catcher (yeah, usually a contradiction there) was on third with 2 outs and the other team insisted she be swapped out. TD agreed, even though the only girl in the dugout who could CR was actually going to catch the next inning and was already dressed for it.

The catcher part was meant for speed up. The pitcher part not so much - it was for the reason you stated.

Doing a HS game Tuesday. No outs, no one on base. I look over and catcher standing in warm up circle with shin guards still on. As soon as current batter flew out, she immediately took them off. How can we get a triple play with no one on base? Dave

Habits are hard to break.

I believe it was originally meant as a speed up. Once they realized they could get away with changing the game, the Charlie Finley's of youth ball decided to protect their pitcher. :D

Yeah, it's about time MLB did the same. :)

Considering the amount of money invested in pitchers, it is surprising that they haven't done something like that. Steinbrenner went to his grave moaning about Chen-Ming Wang almost getting his career ruined by a base running injury in 2007.

Then maybe he should have insured that he was paying for a baseball player.