ITB Question

[default]

had an interesting one today.... my 12u DD's team went into an ITB situation. We were visitors so we put the "last batted out" on 2nd. Got some runs, 3 outs, time to take the field.

The other team's (home team) "last batted out" is injured. Soooooo the other team says can we put the "next to last batted out" on 2nd to start the inning? No subs left either. Since I'm just a plain ole dad on this one, I'm nervously watching. My thoughts were sure you can put the "next to last" (2nd batted out) on 2nd IIIFF the "last batted out" puts an automatic out in the books. What's the real way to handle this?

The other question is, what if they were able to bat around to get to the "original last batted out"... (which is nearly mathematically impossible I think) since they would surely have to score and beings they were the home team game over.

 

[default]

I believe the intention of who to put on 2nd base is the furthest person in the batting order from the first batter due up. So, I see no harm in putting the next to last batted out on 2nd base. It's 12U, not professional softball.

If the team was able to bat around to the injured batterm then they would have to take an out.

 

[default]

thats where the : Shorthanded rule comes into play in A.S.A. you just place the next batter prior to the injured player on second base ...no out is recorded

page 60 in A.S.A. Rule 5, section 11 - B

 

[default]

... just wanted some rule clarification and certainly know they are not pro's. thanks for the input and thoughts.

 

[default]

Sounds like they handled it right.

The Tie-Breaker Rule states that if a team is playing shorthanded, do not count the automatic out if that is the player who should be placed on second base. Instead, use the player whose name precedes the missing player.

On your second question, I think that it could happen- IF the visiting team had scored multiple runs in the top half of the inning. If it did happen, the automatic out for the missing batter would be enforced when you came to that spot. To have this secenario you would need to have eight batters come to the plate. Assume three left on base, two made outs, that leaves three that would have scored. So, if the home team was trailing by less than three runs, this would be mathematically impossible. The game would have to be over before you reached that ninth spot.

One more slightly off topic comment on the Tie-Breaker Rule: The rule in the rule book is called exactly that- the Tie-Breaker Rule. I'm not sure why everyones refers to is the "International" Tie-Breaker Rule.

Maybe this rule was first introduced in international or Olympic play and maybe they did call it the International Tie-Breaker Rule. That name seems to have stuck, even though that is not the name of the rule in the ASA rule book.

I guess "international" sounds more mysterious and lends an air of intrigue. But this ain't France versus Mozambique- we're playing ball in America and there's nothing "international" about it!

 

[default]

Maybe so its not confussed with the FAMOUS ...who had more on third rule