Dealing with DDs

[Dakota]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Where does it say that? The only thing I can find about a sub becoming official when the ball is put in play is for an unreported substitute. AFAIC, a reported substitution becomes official when I write it down in my line-up card and verify the change with the head coach who made it.

Well, the Fed rule is worded rather curiously...

ART. 3 . . . The plate umpire shall record all substitutions on the lineup card and then announce immediately any change(s) to the opposing team’s head coach. Projected substitutions are not permitted. If there is no announcement of substitutions, a substitute has entered the game when:

a. a runner takes the place of a runner she has replaced.

b. a pitcher takes her place on the pitcher's plate.

c. a fielder reaches the position usually occupied by the fielder she has replaced.

d. a batter takes her place in the batter's box.

e. and, in each of the above situations, when the ball is declared live by the plate umpire.

Note the underlined part. If the OP had not yet announced the sub to the opposing coach, and the fielder had not yet taken the field... well, was the substitution official? Apparently not.