I was filling in for our team's scorekeeper in a 14U travel (USSSA rules) game this past weekend and had the following come up...
Opposing coach declares at the plate meeting that he is going to bat the lineup (allowed under the league's rules). The lineup I am given lists 11 players in the order and no subs.
After the 11th batter completes his at bat, a 12th player comes up instead of the lead off batter. I double checked my book and the lineup I was given and this player was not listed, so I informed our head coach. After the batter completed his at bat (a walk), the coach called time and informed the PU of the situation. After a quick discussion the batter was declared out.
The opposing coach made the argument that he declared he was going to bat the lineup, and that even if the player was accidentally left off of the lineup, it shouldn't have made a difference. The PU ruled that regardless of the plate meeting - the lineup is what takes precedence.
Now, I'm not 100% sure if the PU handled the situation correctly... Thinking about it later, I was wondering if the correct batter was declared out? By the lineup we were given, should the lead off batter have been declared out instead of the ghost batter?
Additionally, if our coach wanted to push the issue - would the ghost player have been ineligible to play because he wasn't on the original lineup? Not that we would have gone that route, but just to know how the situation is supposed to be ruled. As it was we allowed him to be added as a sub, I just don't know technically how this should have all been sorted out.
