2025 RULES BULLETIN #2

I’m reading Joe Posnanski’s book Why We Love Baseball, a collection of stories and anecdotes that highlight the joy of the game. It got me thinking about why I love baseball. There are many reasons, many moments, but I think it was summed up best while I was watching a game a few years ago, I don’t even remember who was playing. There were two outs and a man on second, and a fly ball hit to the warning track that the center fielder caught on the run. Nothing spectacular, but a good catch. I said out loud, “I love this game.” My wife asked why that particular play caused me to utter that. I said that it’s because every play has potential. The size of the field, the number of defenders, and their positioning, mean that almost every ball put in play is playable, but almost any of them could drop for a hit. A lot has been said about the dimensions of the infield, and how they make almost every play close. Even a routine ground ball creates a close play at first (unless it’s a catcher running, just kidding to you former catchers!). Almost every attempted steal is a close play at second or third. Every time the ball is put in play something exciting can happen. That’s why I love baseball. It’s a great game played for great reasons. And high school is one of the greatest of reasons. Every game has potential.

Well, we have started the exciting period of our season as the games take on added dimensions and importance and potential. A couple of things have come up in the last few weeks so let’s get to it.

1). Ambidextrous Pitcher: I always felt in the back of my mind, that the rules regarding a pitcher who can pitch from both the left and the right side existed primarily so we could have a test question. I never encountered one in any of my games in my career, but we still had test questions on it. Well, I have learned that such a pitcher does exist. We had a game recently where a substitute pitcher came in to face a batter as a right handed pitcher. He took his eight warm‑up pitchers with no issue and struck the next batter out. He then, legally, changed gloves to pitch to the next batter as a left hander and his coach “requested” he get his eight warm‑up pitches as a left hander. As you can imagine, the opposing coach was somewhat vocal in his dissent and a great discussion (argument, spat, disagreement, debate) ensued. The stands gladly chimed in with great points and counter‑points of safety, fairness, and keeping one’s day job being made. The umpires were not quite sure, so they decided to give him eight warm‑up pitches as a left hander and move on with the game.

Well intended by the umpires, but not correct. An ambidextrous pitcher gets eight warm‑ups from whatever side he wishes, but that is it. He doesn’t get eight more when he changes how he pitches. Hmm, might this become a test question?

2). Player Not listed as a Substitute: We have had multiple games lately where a player, that a coach wanted to put into the game, was not listed as substitute on the lineup card. In one game, the request was denied. In another game (hard to believe it happened but it did, just not in our state) the umpire told the coach he could “buy” him in by taking an out in the inning (the coach declined). And in the third game the umpire allowed it, which led to another chorus of “learn the rules,” “you won’t work here again,” and “I’ll take three pencils.” But by rule, an unlisted substitute may play in the game with no penalty.

The rule requiring substitutes to be listed was done to make it easier for the umpires when making changes on the lineup card. It helps us to not keep asking a coach, “now how do you spell that?” multiple times during a change. But it was intentionally written with no penalty provided. The committee didn’t want to keep a player, whom the coach didn’t put on the substitute list, from having an opportunity to play if the coach just forgot to put his name down, or if the jv game concluded early, or maybe his doctor’s appointment was canceled, or something else happened that enabled him to show up at the game unexpectedly. If the player is not listed, ask the coach how to spell his name, put him in and let’s go on.

3). Batter hit by a pitch: We have a couple of games this last week where the batter was hit by a pitch, went to the ground, and was not physically able to advance to first base. In both cases, the umpires denied a pinch runner and called the player out when the defense tagged him. They cited the part in Rule Five where, if an injury occurs during live ball, time shall not be called until no further advance or putout is possible (5‑2‑1d). This rule goes on to say that if there is a medical emergency or if, in the umpire’s judgment, further play could jeopardize the injured player’s safety, then “Time” shall be called. The umpires stated that the situation did not meet that part of the rule.

The only catch here, is in both cases we have an awarded base(s) to be made. Casebook play 5.2.1 Situation C tells us: “B1 (a) hits a home run over the fence or (b) receives a base on balls or, (c) is struck by a pitched ball. In each instance B1 is unable to reach the awarded base because of an injury sustained during the play. RULING: In (a), (b), (c), because bases are awarded, a pinch runner may replace the injured player and continue to the awarded bases. In (b), since the ball is live, the umpire has to call “Time.” Then the umpire will permit a substitute to run for the injured player.

In both games, a pinch runner should have been allowed to take the hit batter’s place and advance to first base.

4). Pitcher Substitution: We have had several game situations involving the substitution of a pitcher. Let’s take them one by one.

A. The relief pitcher comes in and takes his eight warm up pitches. Before facing a batter, the defensive coach realizes the pitcher has already reached his pitch count limit. RULING: The coach will be allowed to bring in another relief pitcher, who is entitled to eight warmup throws, with no penalty. We will not make the pitcher (who has reached his pitch count limit) face the batter by throwing a pitch (that might create later penalties for pitch count violation), or intentionally walking a batter to meet the requirement for a relief pitcher.

B. With the bases loaded, a left‑handed pinch hitter is announced. The defensive coach brings in a left‑handed pitcher. The offensive coach now brings in a right‑handed pinch hitter. Can the defensive coach now substitute another pitcher? RULING: No, the relief pitcher must pitch to the batter then at bat (or any substitute for that batter) until that batter is put out or reaches first base, or until a third out has been made. At that point, the coach could bring in another relief pitcher. An intentional base on balls would satisfy the rule. Note, though, if the relief pitcher is incapacitated because of an injury, he may be replaced with the above requirement not being met, but that player cannot later return to the game as a pitcher.

C. In the top half of the first inning, the coach wants to pinch‑hit for his pitcher. The plate umpire does not allow the substitution stating the pitcher has not faced his first batter and cannot be substituted until that takes place. RULING: A pinch‑hitter may replace the pitcher in the top of the first inning while his team is at bat without penalty. If he does not re‑enter in the bottom half of the inning, he may later re‑enter to play another defensive position, but not to pitch.

5). Submittal of Incident Reports: Please continue to submit IRs on time. Per UIL request they are to be filed within 24 hours.

Plays from Last Bulletin:

1. With the bases loaded and 2 outs, a left‑handed pinch hitter is announced. The defensive coach now brings in a left‑handed pitcher. The offensive coach now brings in a right‑handed pinch hitter. At this point, the defensive coach plans to intentionally walk this hitter. Following the walk, the offensive coach brings up another right‑handed hitter. The defensive coach wants to return to the mound to make another pitching change. The offensive coach argues he can’t yet make a change. What do you say? May he change the pitcher? RULING: With our above discussion on pitcher substitution, the first relief pitcher satisfied the rule requirements when he intentionally walked the first batter he faced. The coach may bring in another relief pitcher.

2. With R1 on first and R2 on second and no outs, B3 has a 2‑2 count. The pitcher inexplicably assumes the wind‑up position and both runners take off for third base and second base respectively. At the moment the pitcher makes his first move to the plate, R1 is standing on second base, but R2 has not yet reached third base. The pitch is a curveball in the dirt that B3 swings at and misses. B3 takes off for first and is called safe by U1. The defensive coach argues that R1 still occupied first base and thus B3 should be out. The fans have a split decision. What do you rule? RULING: B3 is out. Since R2 has not yet acquired third base at the time of the pitch, R1 cannot legally acquire second base. Therefore, for this play, first base was still occupied by R1. R2 stays at third and R1 stays at second, but B3 is out.

Plays for next week: Both plays did happen in a game.

1. In the third inning Washington enters the game for Vince in the 7th spot in the lineup. Later, in the fifth inning, 5, 6, and 7 are due up to bat. Jones (legal hitter) pops out; Vince re‑entered in the fourth inning, but comes to bat in the 6 hole and strikes out. Washington comes to bat in the 7th position in the lineup but flies out. The defensive coach, not sure what has just happened, goes to the plate umpire and appeals batting out of order. How do we rule?

2. Early in the game, the coach enters Smith to pinch hit, then after the inning is over, re‑enters the starter. Later in the game, with a big lead, the coach puts all the players on the bench in the game, and Smith goes back to play center field. With a runner on third and first, Smith catches a fly ball and throws out the runner returning to first base while the runner on third scores. The offensive team coach comes to the plate umpire and asks how Smith can be in the game. What do we rule?

Please continue to send your questions and concerns. Again, thanks for your hard work. What you do matters.

Kyle McNeely
TASO State BB Rules Interpreter
Jkyle1974@aol.com    979‑446‑5522