NFHS softball International tie breaker
2016/7/15 16:51:48
Question
In a tie breaker the pitcher was the last out of the previous inning, can she be replaced on second base with her courtesy runner ?
Answer
Hi Joe,
Thank you for your question. It is similar to an International Tie Breaker question I answered on 2-18-11 entitled "Substitute placed on 2B during ITB." In fact, today I am just going to copy and paste most of my answer's opening paragraph from that question. One reader did take exception to my reply, but I still stand by my original answer. Please do refer to that question, answer, and followup, FYI! By the way, the ITB places the player on 2B who will bat 9th in the half inning, which isn't necessarily the same player who made the last out. Picky, I know!
There is no mention of the International Tie Breaker in the 2011 NFHS Softball Rules, so I concluded that your State Association has adopted the ITB as their tie-breaker procedure of choice. By the way, the game's coaches and umpires aren't even allowed to decide among themselves to implement the ITB if their State Association hasn't adopted it.
No, a courtesy runner cannot replace the pitcher or catcher on 2B if the pitcher or catcher are due up ninth in the ITB. The last sentence in Rule 8-9-2 states: "The pitcher or catcher must bat and reach base legally (or earn their way on base) in order to be eligible for a courtesy runner."
Scott Kelly
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