Pitcher Replaced After Warm ups

[kanedog]

FED rule set.  Starting shortstop is warming up in the bullpen.  The coach wants him to continue warming up while the current pitcher takes his 5 warm up pitches.  Once the current pitcher takes his 5 pitches, he wants to replace him with the shortstop who is warming up already and then gets his 8 warm ups.  Essentially getting in five extra warm ups.

 

I know 3-1-2 says a pitcher replaced while his team is on defense shall face the first hitter etc but the ball was not in play yet.  I told him that if the pitcher came out to warm up, he has to face the first batter.  My partner says you simply deduct the current pitcher's warm ups from the substitute pitcher's eight.

 

Correct ruling?  Reference?

 

Thanks.

[maven]

3-1-2 does require the substitute F1 to pitch to a batter (or etc.), but coach intends him to do so.

 

I don't think you have a rules basis for requiring the previous F1 to pitch to a batter just because he took warm-up pitches (AFAIK, FED has no equivalent of OBR 3.05d).

 

Your partner's solution is probably the most equitable.

[noumpere]

What the coach wants to do is legal in FED but now not allowed in OBR and NCAA.  The returning pitcher does not need to face a batter in FED.  This loophole was used in some MLB game last year or the year before and is why they put the rule in place.

[RichMSN]

He gets 8.  End of story.  What's the big deal, anyway?

 

If there's no rule against it, then give him the 8 he's entitled to, by rule.