illegal sub debate

[carolinablue]

Tonight there was somewhat of a debate about what at the time I thought would be a no-brainer. The debate was over whether an umpire should allow an illegal sub to be entered into a game. In other words, if a coach comes to you with a substitution and you recognize that it is an illegal sub should you allow it or tell the coach he can't do that.

My opinion has always been I would tell the coach the player is not eligible and not allow it but apparently there are some that would say it is giving unfair info to that team and you should give the opposing team an oppurtunity to get the out ( if it's on offense ). So what is the correct way to handle this ?

[spiritump]

what is the difference in telling the coach he can not do a change during the game or when you are at the plate meeting you notice something wrong with the line-up and you tell the coach of his error.

[UmpTTS43]

I would, and have, tell coach he is not legal. No sense in playing "gotcha".

[slo8140]

I agree, I would not let it happen. If the sub has already been burned or is not legal for some other reason you can't let him back in.

Think about it...you eject a kid, but the coach tries to sneak him back in. There is no way that the umpire should let this go and wait to see if the other coach catches the error.

[johnnyg08]

I agree with everybody here. Don't let him do it. If you do and the kid gets hurt, they will say that you should not have allowed it in the first place.

Somebody else said above...it's not about "gotcha"

[BT_Blue]

Its preventive umpiring. Why take the brown end of the stick? Let the HC know he cant make the sub.

[JaxRolo]

I can't imaging that any Umpire would not tell the coach! :no:

[Replacematt]

I agree that we should tell the coach.

However, to play devil's advocate...

If you catch an illegal sub before it happens the first time, and you don't the second time, then you are going to have some 'splainin to do. So why even put yourself in that position? :fuel:

[carolinablue]

Like I said, I thought it was a no brainer to tell the coach but apparently some guys didn't agree. I was surprised so that's why I posted and so far everyone has confirmed what I was thinking. Thanks

[johnnyg08]

then you are going to have some 'splainin to do. So why even put yourself in that position?

Maybe, but they are ultimately responsible. We do what we can.

[gobama84]

Hey Guys, Do you let him enter the game and if on offense immediately call him out and restrict to the dugout for the remainder of the game or if on defense just restrict. Rule 3-1-1 para below penalty.

No way can you let him enter the game unless the coach insists after you tell him he can't. Don't laugh, a few years ago I had a coach ask me if a player was out because he slid head first into home plate. (Yes it was HS)