Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 4/29/2009

Question
Last night, the opposing team's manager inserted a pinch runner (allowed by the umpire)
into the game (bottom of the 7th).  This boy had just crossed the plate scoring the tying
run and was immediately substituted in for the boy that had just hit him in, now at 1st
base.  The kid is very fast and proceeded to score the go ahead winning run.  Was this
good strategy or a violation of the rules and/or ethics of Pony league baseball?
Thank you.

Answer
Dean,

It is against the rulebook to reenter a game once you've been removed.  However, some individual leagues modify the rules to suit their play and a reentry rule is fairly common.  In order to get the story straight, you would need to know what the league rules are in this situation.

As far as ethics go - to me, if the rules allow, then you can't argue the situation.  Ethics of the game to me concern the kids playing the game.  Fair treatment, protection from injury, etc.  If you think the rule is unfair, then lobby the league to change the rule.

Hope this helps!

Brian