Keeping up with Scorekeeping

Trakin daball said:

Bretman, in ASA the number nine batter would not bat again if she were put out as a result of her time at bat. If she was not put out during her time at bat she would still bat again. Batter 8 would be called out. So if 9 reached first base. 8 batter out #9 stills bats again and would lead off next inning if 8 being called out BOO would be 3rd out. Is this senerio correct?

Click to expand...

Yes, that is correct. And, if she's not put out, the ruling is the same for high school rules, too. It's another way this can shake out, the difference being that the improper batter reached base safely instead of being put out.

If the improper batter (#9 in our example) reaches base safely, two different things could happen:

1) If the defense DOES properly appeal the BOO:

- The batter who should have batted (#8) is called out.

- If there were other runners on base, any outs made against them on the play stand.

- Any other runners not put out must return to the base held at the time of the pitch.

- The improper batter (#9) is removed from the bases.

- The next proper batter is whoever follows the batter called out for not batting. That's #9 in our case and she bats again (or leads off the next inning).

2) If the defense DOES NOT properly appeal the BOO:

- There is no penalty against the offending team.

- The improper batter's time at bat becomes legal.

- All advances by runners, runs scored, outs made, etc. stand.

- The next proper batter is whoever follows the last batter who batted. That's #1 in our case. She bats next (or leads off the next inning).

It's as simple as that!

OK, how does one properly appeal the BOO?

Philbob, if you want to appeal after the batter completes her turn at bat. Call time and bring the infraction to the plate umpires attention. Let him know which batter was suppose to be at bat. He will then engage the opposing team coach and scorekeeper and see if indeed someone batted out of order. You must do this before the next legal or illegal pitch though.

Thanks Trakin. I was an emergency fill in as scorekeeper for my dd's team in Fall ball, after not doing it for Oh, say 20 years, and it was a lot of fun.

Just to clarify. The scorekeeper should let the coach know about the infraction (quietly, since you do not want the other team to know) and the coach will approach the umpire. I thought you were asking from a coaches perspective.