The rules for batting out of order, as written in the rule book, are somewhat difficult to understand. This discussion will attempt to outline the rule clearly using language which is much easier to understand.
The batting order, or line-up, is the designated order in which the players for a given team will bat. Before the start of the game, each coach provides the umpire in chief with a list of the players who will be starting the game and the order in which they will bat. The batting order presented to the umpire in-chief is the "official lineup". Batters are then required to cycle through that batting order as presented to the umpire in-chief for the entire game. Teams will sometimes bat in a different order from the "official lineup" for a variety of reasons, the most common reason is because the coach posted a different order in the dugout from the one he gave to the umpire.
A player becomes a batter when the player takes a position in the batter's box on either side of the plate. Penalties for batting out of order depend upon when the error is discovered.
There are just a few things to remember in order to correctly apply this rule in any situation. The key element is when the mistake is discovered.
If the mistake is discovered while the "improper batter" is still batting there is no penalty. The "proper batter" simply takes the place of the "improper batter" and assumes the current count.
If the mistake is discovered after the "improper batter" has completed his at bat and prior to the next legal pitch, the player who should have batted is declared out and the next player in the order on the "official lineup" is the next batter. Any activity on the bases that resulted from the "improper batter's" activity (putting the pitched ball into play) in this situation is nullified and runners are returned to the bases they occupied at the time of the "at bat". Any advancement DURING the at bat by the "improper batter" which was not the result of "activity" (putting a pitched ball into play) such as a stolen base, passed ball, wild pitch or any other action which was not the result of "activity" by the "improper batter" is allowed to stand.
If the mistake is discovered after the next legal pitch to the following batter, the "at bat" by the "improper batter" is legitimized and order is followed from that point. Any player who should have batted prior to the "improper batter" will not bat until their next scheduled time.
Below are some "game" situation events, and the proper ruling for each, which attempt to define all "batting out of order" situations.
Situation 1: B5 is the next batter in the batting order but B6 erroneously bats instead. The offensive coach discovers the mistake while B6 is still batting and has a count of two strikes. Ruling: There is no penalty and B5 is allowed to take the place of B6 and assumes the count of two strikes.
Situation 2: B5 is the next batter in the batting order but B6 erroneously bats instead. B6 walks and is awarded first base. Prior to the next legal pitch the defensive team appeals that B6 batted out of order. Ruling: B5, the player who should have batted, is declared out and B6 is removed from the bases. B6 is now the next legal batter.
Situation 3: B1 singles and is followed by B3 who also singles, advancing B1 to third base. Before the next legal pitch to B4 the defensive team calls time and appeals that B3 batted out of order. Ruling: B2, the player who should have batted after B1, is declared out and B1 is returned to first base. B3 is now the next proper batter.
Situation 4: The correct batting order at the start of an inning is B5, B6, B7 and B8. B7 erroneously bats in place of B5. The infraction is not detected until B8 is batting with a count of 1 ball and 1 strike. Ruling: Because the error in the batting order was not detected prior to the next legal pitch to B8, the "at bat" by B7 is legitimized. B8 is thus declared the "proper batter" and continues to be the batter. The order is followed from that point, meaning B9 will be the next batter after B8 completes the "at bat". B5 and B6 will not bat until their next scheduled time at bat.
Situation 5: R1 is on third base with two outs. B5, an improper batter is batting instead of the proper batter, B4. F1 throws a wild pitch to the backstop which is ball three, allowing R1 to score. On the next pitch B5 walks. Prior to the next legal pitch the defensive coach appeals that B5 batted out of order. Ruling: B5 is declared out and the inning is over. The run scored by R1 is counted because his advancement to the plate was not the result of any "activity" at the plate by B5. Activity is defined as putting the pitched ball into play.
A coach with a good understanding of the rule will not bring an "improper batter" situation to the attention of the umpire until AFTER the player has batted and prior to the next legal pitch. This way an "out" is assured and no harm can occur with respect to base runners as a result of the "improper batter" putting the ball into play. A coach with a less than stellar understanding of the rule will expect an "out" when bringing the matter to the attention of the umpire WHILE the "improper batter" is still batting. A thorough understanding of this rule minimizes "discussion" times with coaches who may not have a good understanding the rule.
