This came up in a Division Two game the other night. Dont see it addressed in the current rules.

Situation:
Team A are playing with 9 players, and therefore are penalised an out after thier ninth batter completes their at-bat.

There are two outs.

Team B walks ninth batter.*

Question: Is the inning over? (I beleive current rules state they are)

Discussion: Should this rule be altered if there are two outs, as the pitcher could intentionally walk the batter, therefore ending the inning and preventing the ninth batter have a fair at bat.

Possible solution: Could be the ump could make a judgement call as to whether the pitcher was purposely attempting to walk the batter (ie rolling it across the plate when previously they had pitched fine).

*Note, in our case Team B didnt intentionally walk the batter, but the batter did walk.

Any thoughts on this? A 'we hadn't thought of that' answer is fair enough, as it probably hasn't come up yet

I was worried this situation was going to happen in our game a few weeks ago...luckily we got the 2nd out fair and square. Perhaps, given there are 2 out, the batter should take a walk to 2nd and the auto-out takes an imaginary walk to 1st? This does lead to the conceptual problem of having an imaginary runner who can't be out or score....

Its a legitimate tactic - most teams don't walk the batter to get the 3rd out.

Basically you should be playing with 10 so you cant complain

It's a legitmate tactic? Like walking women to face men (because you think women can't hit), or yelling in the face of a shortstop to distract them enough to drop a fly ball, etc. All legitimate tactics if you want to win. They are not sportsmanlike, though.

Most teams don't do it? Is that the standard for setting the rules? Most teams don't argue calls of umps, that doesnt mean there shouldn't be rules to address the ones that do.

And I can't complain? This the ask the ump section of the forum. Isn't that the point, to ask questions?

I'm new to posting here, so I may be naive, but is this a typical response to reasonable questions asked on this forum?

That's why I i've always avoided messageboards: people are always willing to write things they would never say to someone's face.
Well, thanks Admin, lesson learned...again.

I was thinking something similar. I dont like the idea of delaying the auto-out until the ball is put in play. The 9-player team should be penalised for having nine and in div 2 the pitchers (myself included) often have a tough enough time getting it over the plate, never mind trying to walk someone.

This is the first under-10 player roster we've had this year, so not sure how often it comes up with others, but interesting to know we're not the only ones.

We play by the ISF rules as far as possible and as such there is no rule that says a team playing short should be aided by disallowing the opposing team to to walk the batter to get to the 3rd "auto-out"

This is a 10 player game and if a team is short its is not the oppositions fault and should they decided to play tactically and walk a player to get the out then fair enough.

As for walking women to face men - umm - never seen that - it usually the other way round for that accusation and thats why we introduced the 2 base walk for men to fall in line with other leagues and tournaments.

As for "you cant complain" It was directed at the team playing short not you personally.

And I am more than willing to say all of this to a players face - everyone knows who I am.

Wont even go to imaginary batters and runners ...

If you yell at the SS to drop the ball you would be called out for interfering with a fielder attempting to field a batted ball

Rule 8 Batter - Runner is out
Sec 2 - g - 2

My apologies, I did mean walking men to face women. But let's faceit, you're not listening, admin(?), so there's no point in keeping this up.

I think you're being very sensitive here Mike, your original query has been answered, your subsequent pop at Admin for not giving you the answer you wanted has been responded to and even the specific rules are being quoted. What is it that's not being listened to? Teams are entitled to take advantage of any shortcomings in their opposition. That may come in the form of an automatic out, a slow runner, or perhaps waiting for strikes from a pitcher who is struggling. This is not cheating as you can only beat what's in front of you and the object of the game is to win. As already explained, your other example of yelling in people's face etc are not only un-sporting but also illegal. Now what was the question?

I am listening ...

You feel that a team playing short should not be disadvantaged if they have 2 outs with the 3rd auto-out coming up to bat and its unfair if a team is permitted to walk the next batter.

I'm saying there is no rule against it and the team playing short should have ensured they have 10 players. A team playing shorthanded cant really complain when they are the ones causing the problem in the 1st place by having the auto-out in their line-up.

In practice you will find MOST teams decide not to do it and do play sportsman like.