Starting Pitcher (as listed on official lineup) is not on the mound to begin game?

[UAME]

Lineup cards submitted and confirmed by HCs.  Game begins, pitcher throws first pitch (a ball, 1-0 count) and offensive (Visitor) HC comes to plate to point out that the Home lineup lists a different player (presently at SS) as F1 and vice versa.  (Both players on the field.)

The PU calls me in from U1 and shows me the lineup, and asks what we should do.  All I could remember for certain was that "the player listed as starting pitcher shall pitch to first batter until that player is put out or reaches base."

We brought out the Home HC, told him that, and he brought F6 to the mound to pitch (and he left him in the game for the next 4 innings.)

Reading a case play (3.1.1k) when I got home, it seems that we didn't NEED to do anything - if defensive team "ignores" the official lineup, then the only "penalty" is the player listed as F1 is not eligible to pitch for the remainder of the game.

So, should we have just told the offensive HC, "Hey, I can't make him use the positioning he listed on the lineup card.  We'll just make sure the guy at SS isn't allowed to move to the mound later." ?? 

[The Man in Blue]

Correct, the guy pitching should have just stayed there and the guy listed would not be eligible to pitch.

NFHS roster rules are seemingly lackadaisical, but are designed to benefit the KIDS playing the game.

[MadMax]

10 hours ago, UAME said:

All I could remember for certain was that "the player listed as starting pitcher shall pitch to first batter until that player is put out or reaches base."

You need to be… prudent (or, careful) with this. As @The Man in Blue points out, these are kids playing, not professionals. It’s entirely possible – and, indeed, I’ve been adjacent to it happening – wherein a HC submits a lineup card with a starting pitcher, and that SP injures himself in the bullpen, or in the pre-game announcements, or in his warmups. 

Or, worse, the HC is notified that his listed SP is over his pitch limit (or hasn’t served the required rest days), and if he pitches, then there’s potential forfeiture (administrative). This notification can come in the most inauspicious of times… moments before first pitch. 

There’s no way we can compel the listed pitcher to pitch in good conscience or officiating, given those circumstances. 

[The Man in Blue]

38 minutes ago, MadMax said:

There’s no way we can compel the listed pitcher to pitch in good conscience or officiating, given those circumstances. 

The power of the umpire compels you!  The power of the umpire compels you!

 

[MadMax]

8 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

The power of the umpire compels you!

Ha! Those aren’t Fed umpires!! 
 

… they aren’t wearing navy vestments. 

[SeeingEyeDog]

12 hours ago, The Man in Blue said:

The power of the umpire compels you!  The power of the umpire compels you!

 

I can assure you...if the power of the umpire could compel ANYBODY to do ANYTHING..."compelling" a coach to start the F1 listed on his lineup card would be in the bottom 1% of my power to compel list.

Cosmic belief adjacently? "I am one with The Force. The Force is with me." is a serious pre-game affirmation.

~Dawg

[The Man in Blue]

28 minutes ago, SeeingEyeDog said:

I can assure you...if the power of the umpire could compel ANYBODY to do ANYTHING..."compelling" a coach to start the F1 listed on his lineup card would be in the bottom 1% of my power to compel list.

Cosmic belief adjacently? "I am one with The Force. The Force is with me." is a serious pre-game affirmation.

~Dawg

 

. . . and during the game, don't forget the valuable: "I have spoken" and "This is the way." 

[MadMax]

30 minutes ago, The Man in Blue said:

 

. . . and during the game, don't forget the valuable: "I have spoken" and "This is the way." 

I am sooooo tempted, during a game, and especially when the 3rd Out is recorded before a Runner reaches the plate, to retrieve the bat, and re-enact Gandalf and the Balrog… 

[Kevin_K]

7 hours ago, MadMax said:

I am sooooo tempted, during a game, and especially when the 3rd Out is recorded before a Runner reaches the plate, to retrieve the bat, and re-enact Gandalf and the Balrog… 

A much more appropriate image. This may be an ancestor of our beloved @MadMax

[The Man in Blue]

In that case, the listed pitcher should immediately report to the mound.  Scratches and mere flesh wounds are not enough to excuse him.