From the desk of Larry Gallagher......
Gentlemen,
I have recently received questions regarding unreported substitutions. Many of our umpires and other umpires in other groups have been calling the batter or runner out because they were unreported.
To make myself perfectly clear, THERE IS NEVER AN OUT OR AN EJECTION FOR HAVING NOT REPORTED A SUBSTITUTION.
Below is some information that I just put together for instruction for all of us. Please do not get caught up in the idea that the other manager deserves anything for noticing an unreported substitution. NO OUTS.
No, there is no penalty for an unreported substitution in any baseball game in the WORLD.
It is only an unreported substitution. Go into any rule book and you can find it. Now, when the next umpire has the same team and he handles it correctly, he is the one that will be chewed out.
I don't understand how many times this summer that umpires have gotten this wrong. I know of 5 times that it has been handled incorrectly.
There is no out, the batter becomes a legal batter once he takes his spot in the batter's box. It is just an unreported substitute.
Pro rules 3.03
NCAA - 5-5g Approved Ruling
Federation - 2-36-2, 3-1-1, Casebook 3.1.1d
Federation Rules - An unreported substitute is a player eligible to participate who did not report to the UIC when he entered the game. The substitute is legal when the ball is alive and 1) a runner reaches base (3-1-1a); 2) a pitcher when he intentionally contacts the pitcher's plate (3-1-1b); 3) a fielder when he reaches his position (3-1-1c); 4) a batter when he takes his place in the batter's box. Penalty - NONE FOR NOT REPORTING
NCAA Rules - An unreported offensive substitute becomes legal when he takes his position: an unreported pitcher, when he reaches the mound. An unreported defensive sub becomes legal when he reaches his position and play commences. (5-5-g 1 through 4) PENALTY FOR FAILURE TO REPORT - NONE
Pro Rules - Same as NCAA (OBR 3.03, 3.08a 1 through 4)
THERE IS NEVER AN OUT BECAUSE SOMEONE WAS NOT REPORTED.