ESBUA meeting 2/27/2023
Question 1
Start of the bottom of 7th inning 0 Out. 0-0 count to batter, B1.
At the conclusion of the top half of the 7th inning, the visiting team was leading the home team by a score of 14-11. The head coach of the away team approaches the plate umpire and informs PU of his intent to re-insert Baker as pitcher. Baker began the game as the starting pitcher, but was removed from the game in the 2nd inning because the visiting team had amassed a 12 run lead. Baker was listed on the lineup card at the start of the game as the player/designated hitter (P/DH). Baker had remained as DH for the entire game. The home team head coach argues that Baker cannot re-enter as pitcher.
What is your ruling regarding the re-entry of Baker as the pitcher?
As long as Baker has re-entry eligibility and has not exceeded his pitch count, Baker is eligible to re-enter the game as pitcher. There are only 3 reasons a starting pitcher may not be re-entered as a pitcher: (1) if the starting pitcher does not finish the at-bat to the first opposing batter, that player has re-entry eligibility, except to pitch. (3-1-1 Penalty) (2) if the starting pitcher is removed for an injury and the substituted pitcher requires more than 8 warm up throws, (3-1-2) (3) after THREE defensive conferences have been used. (3-4-1 Penalty)
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
Rule 3-1-3. Any of the starting players may be withdrawn and re-entered once.
Rule 3-1-4 b. The starting DH may be any one of the starting defensive players. In this manner, the starting defensive player has two positions: the defensive player and the designated hitter. The role of the defensive player may be substituted for by any legal substitute. If the defensive player has been substituted for, the original P/DH may re-enter one time.
Question 2
R1, R2, & R3 2 Outs 0-0 count to new batter, B6.
B6, not in the original starting lineup but used as a pinch runner earlier in the game, enters the batter’s box and announces himself as a pinch hitter to the PU. The PU did not immediately recognize this player as an illegal substitute. The plate umpire calls play and pitcher, F1, throws a wild pitch allowing R3 to score and R1 & R2 move up one base. Before the next pitch, the defense discovers that B6 is an illegal substitute.
What is your ruling? Does R3’s run still count?
The run counts and the illegal substitute is declared out and restrict to the bench for the remainder of the game. The inning is over with 3 outs.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
Rule 3-1-1. …If the illegal substitute should score a run, advance or cause a play to be made that allows another runner(s) to advance, discovery must be made by an umpire or either team before the first pitch to the next batter of either team.
Casebook 3.1.1 SITUATION M (b)
Question 3
R2 1 Out 0-0 count to batter, B3.
B3 hits a single to right field. R2 misses third base and continues on to touch home plate. The defensive coach is granted time to have a conference with the pitcher. After the conclusion of the conference, the next batter steps into the batter’s box and with F1 and F2 in their proper respective positions, PU puts the ball back in play. While F1 is coming to a set, B3, who had acquired 1B attempts to steal 2B. F1 then legally steps off and throws to F6, who then tags out the runner who is trying to steal 2B. At this point, does the defense still have the opportunity to appeal R2’s missed touch at 3B?
Can the defense appeal R2 missing 3B?
Yes, the defense can still properly appeal R2’s missed touch at 3B. The play made on B3’s attempted steal of 2B was initiated by the offense and does not deny the defense the right to appeal R2 missing 3B.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
Rule 8-2-5 PENALTY - for failure to touch base (advancing and returning), or failure to tag up as soon as the ball is touched on a caught fly ball, the runner may be called out if an appeal is made by the defensive team. The defense may appeal during a live ball immediately following the play and before a pitch granting an intentional base on balls, or before the next play or attempted play. If the offensive team initiates a play before the next pitch, the defensive team does not lose the right to appeal.
Casebook 8.2.5 SITUATION D
Question 4
R3 1 Out 0-0 count to batter, B2.
F1 has engaged the pitcher’s plate in the (now legal) hybrid stance. F1 has pitching hand at the side and the glove hand in front of his body. F1 looks into the catcher for a sign. F1 then brings his hand from his side into his glove and pauses. The offensive head coach argues that this is balk. He insists this is a balk because it is a start, and then a stop.
Is this a balk?
This is NOT a balk. This is a legal pitching position.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
Rule 6-1-2 For the wind-up position, the pitcher is not restricted as to how to hold the ball.
Casebook 6.1.2 SITUATION I
Question 5
R3, only 1 Out 0-0 count to batter, B4.
F1, in the windup position, begins his delivery to the batter when R3 attempts to steal home. F2 leaves the catcher’s box and is standing on home plate while catching the legally pitched ball and tags R3 before he reaches home plate.
What is your ruling?
Since the pitch was legal, the batter should have the opportunity to hit the pitched ball. Since F2 hinders B4’s attempt to strike at the ball, this is obstruction. The batter, B4, is awarded 1B. R3, who was attempting to score is awarded home.
What RULE from the rule book justifies your decision?
Rule 5-2-b It is a delayed dead ball when a catcher or any fielder obstructs a batter or runner
Rule 8-3-1c Each runner other than the batter-runner is awarded one base when…he is attempting to steal or he is forced from the base he occupies by a batter-runner or runner who must advance because the catcher or any fielder obstructs the batter, such as stepping on or across home or pushing the batter to reach the pitch…
Casebook 8.1.1 SITUATION G
