Expert: Martin Hoover - 4/7/2009

Question
At a recent little league game, minor's division, the visiting team waited until the bottom of the fourth inning to place the last two subs into the game. In the top of the fifth inning, one sub batted(walk) and the last sub came to the plate with two outs. During his at bat, the fifth run of the inning scored on a wild pitch, ending the inning. The home team then completed it's half of the fifth inning before the game was called for time limit. The visiting team won by one run. My question(s) is did the visiting team's last sub have an at-bat due to the inning ending on the five run rule in the top of the fifth? and should this game have been protested for that player not getting "six defensive outs and ONE at-bat"?

Answer
Vince,

A game that is shortened for any reason (including time) the team and the manager cannot be punished for not having a player play mandatory play requirements.  However, if the board of directors deems the manager did this on purpose, they can issue a punishment.

In this situation in my league, I would let my manager know that the player that didn't receive mandatory play needed to start the next game, and receive what he missed and what he is entitled to (ie: he missed one at bat, so he would need to have 2 at bats and 6 consecutive outs in the next game).

I would not entertain a protest, as the game was shortened.

I hope this has helped.  Should you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask!

-Martin Hoover