FLEX Batting
Before the game, the plate umpire is given a line up with only 10 players using the DP in slot 4 and a FLEX. During the game, without reporting any changes, the FLEX bats. After the FLEX takes a pitch and while still at bat, the defensive team makes a protest about the FLEX batting. It is then discovered that the FLEX is batting in place of the player listed in slot (the correct batter) who follows the player listed in slot 9 (the last batter) on the line up card. The offensive team has not reported any changes to the line up. What's the correct ruling? Back to Quiz
The FLEX is an illegal batter. Rule 4-6-F.2
Normally, illegal batters are disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute. However, in this case, the team does not have any substitutes, so the FLEX would be disqualified (prohibited from playing), removed from the line up, and remain in the team area. Rule 4-6-E.
The next legal batter (i.e. the player listed in slot 1) would take the position in the batters box and assume the count that the FLEX had at the time of the protest. The team would now be playing with 9 players. |
