Expert: John McInnis - 5/6/2004

Question
manager submits starting line-up. Unknown batter bats in the #6 spot (he is not listed on the card). This is a PONY league governed by MLB rules. All players in attendance must be listed on the card. What is the penalty?

Answer
Hi Steve,

Depends on your league's regulations.  In ours, a player can be added to the list but only at the very end of the list.  For example, if a player arrives late, we don't punish him for this.  SO LONG AS THE BATTING ORDER HAS NOT BEEN COMPLETED AT BAT.  If the player is too late and the order has gone around, the player cannot join in.

Your case is much different.  An unknown player takes the batting order #6 position.  Normally, you should call this to the attention of the umpire immediately.  I always make a point of either checking the batting order or designating someone to do this.  Its very important and you'd be surprised how many 'errors' are revealed.

Our rules state that the player would be automatically called out.  Any runs scored would be nul, players would be 'called back' to positions before the batter stepped up to the plate.  Play would begin again with the correct batter plus a penalty of an OUT.

If you dispute this AFTER the game, you'll have to provide proof that this scenario actually happened.  League could determine what impact the player had on the game and base their decision on the players contribution.

I wish you luck with this,

JohnMc