Dealing with DDs

[AtlUmpSteve]

Originally Posted by Manny A

Okay, I've always assumed (perhaps wrongly) that the word "announce" included what the coach does to report a substitution to the plate umpire.

Playing Devil's Advocate, however: Don't we always say that what is written in the plate umpire's line-up card is official should there be a dispute between the scorebook and the card? So shouldn't that mean that a change is consummated when it's written down and verified by the coach making the change?

I don't necessarily buy the argument that a substitution is not official until the announcement is made to the opposing head coach. That sets different standards when the coach who initially made the substitution can change his/her mind. If the head coach is acting as third base coach, and he/she gives me a batting order change near the third-base dugout that is occupied by the opposing team, I can make that change official a lot quicker than I can make a change official if I have to walk over to the first-base dugout if that's the one belonging to the other team.

To me, I use a variation of the NCAA "RARA", record, affirm, report, announce; it protects all parties, in my mind.

1) Record; write what the coach tells me.
2) Affirm; repeat it back, get coach's agreement.
3) Report; to opposing coach.
4) Announce; to official scorer (if there is one).

Me, step 5 is I CIRCLE the change (new player's number) on my lineup card. That tells me I have completed all steps, and the change is now official. Until then, it can still be killed by the reporting coach, as the "announce" wasn't complete.

The other steps of taking their place and ball made live apply to unreported subs being officially in the game; they are not necessary for reported subs.