Batter out of Order

If the improper batter is still at the plate, he can be removed and the proper batter assumes any count that the improper batter had. There is no rule that indicates that the improper batter is out simply because he hit the ball.

If an improper batter completes his time at bat and then is identified by the defensive team as having batted out of order he is not out. The player who should have batted is called out. If the improper batter is on base, he is removed and any runners who had advanced as a result of the improper batter's advance are returned to the bases occupied prior to the improper batter's advance. The defense must identify the batting out of order infraction prior to any pitch to a following batter or play by the defense. If they don't then the improper batter's at-bat becomes legalized and the next batter is the player who follows him on the line up card.

nice explanation pilsner

But what is the ruling when:

When the moon is in the Seventh House
And Jupiter aligns with Mars

...then peace will guide the planets
and love will steer the stars.

I guess I just tipped off my age...
of Aquarius that is.

quote:

nice explanation pilsner

Thank you Mr. tuna.

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If the improper batter is on base, he is removed and any runners who had advanced as a result of the improper batter's advance are returned to the bases occupied prior to the improper batter's advance.

So what happens to the improper batter who reaches base?? He is removed, but is he called out? So would two outs have now been called?

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So what happens to the improper batter who reaches base?? He is removed, but is he called out? So would two outs have now been called?

If an improper batter reaches base and the defense then identifies him as having batted out of order (before the next pitch or play) he is simply returned to the bench. The player who should have batted is the player who is called out. The next batter is the one who follows the player who was called out for not batting in his proper place in the lineup.

Which means the guy who reached base and got taken off might be up again right away!

Question: Let's say the # 4 hitter should be up, but the # 5 guy goes up instead. # 5 strikes out, no one advances. Do you get 2 outs there? Or is # 4 out, and # 5 bats again? Or do you just take the out on # 5 and move on to # 6 and skip over # 4?

I have read the rule book on this several times, trying to figure out what you really do when this actually happens, and it just isn't very specific.

Midlo,
The scenario you presented makes it interesting for the defense. If #5 batted out of order and made an out the defense has two choices. Either way they get an out.
If the defense reports #5 as batting out of order, #4 would be called out for failing to bat in his proper place. This would also nullify the out made by #5 and put #5 back at the plate again.
However, if the defense would rather see #6 at the plate they can just ignore the fact that #5 batted out of order, take the out he made and move on from there.

Point to remember: While an improper batter is at the plate, either team can identify him as such and he returns to the bench with the proper batter assuming any count that the improper batter had. Once the improper batter completes his at-bat (makes an out or gets on base) only the defense can report it to the umpire.

This discussion brings a memory back to me. I was coaching a game against the University of North Alabama (at UNA) about a dozen years ago. The situation was this: bottom of the last inning, 2 outs, we were up by one run, UNA had a runner on second......the lights were on and it was just after dusk........they brought up a batter who was batting out of turn, and I knew it.....I took one step toward the plate but then realized that this guy would be the last batter of the game......he would either be put out legitimately or if he reached base I would appeal and an out would properly be recorded....

This is what happened......he hit a routine high fly ball to shallow right field......I had just put a defensive replacement in RF, and this guy lost the ball when it went above the lights.....the ball landed about ten feet from him, the runner on 2B scored and the batter reached second........I appealed to the plate umpire, who asked if I would help he and his partner leave the field after he called the out........he went over to UNA coach Mike Lane and told him of the situation, game over.....Mike knew it.

Sorry for the diversion, but your discussion helped my recollection!

Next question: When keeping stats, do you charge an official at bat to the batter who missed his turn and who was thus called out? That is, does his batting average go down the same as if he batted and made an out?

I couldn't swear to it 100% but I believe the batter who failed to bat in his proper position and was called out is charged with a time at bat and his average is negatively affected by it.

I'm sure there are others who post who are more in tune with official scoring and could give you a more definitive answer.

remember: in order to bat out of order,you must be in the batting lineup. if by chance you had the dh hitting for you and then were told you were to bat for yourself(let's say 3 hole) and you went up to bat in the #5 position, you would be an illegal sub once you took your position in the batter's box.