Question: In high school baseball and softball, a pinch hitter for the catcher enters the batter’s box without any announcement by either the coach or pinch hitter. Is this a legal substitution?
Answer: Although unreported, the substitution becomes legal upon entering the box and the ball is made live (BB – Rule 3, Sec. 1, Art. 1(d); SB – Rule 3, Sec. 3, Art. 3(d)).
Question: In the third inning, Lynn substitutes for starter Jones. In the fifth inning, Jones re-enters game for Lynn. In the seventh inning, Lynn attempts to re-enter game for Jones. Legal action?
Answer: In baseball, this is considered an illegal sub; if on offense, Lynn is out and restricted to bench. If on defense, Lynn is restricted to bench (BB – Rule 3-1-1). In softball, any starter or sub may be withdrawn from game and re-enter once; hence, this is a legal substitution (SB – Rule 3, Sec. 3, Art. 5).