FED Sub rules: No substitutes left on bench and then an injury

[Tog Gee]

In my city league we can elect to bat all players and use free defensive substitution or bat only 9 with substitutes like in HS (only starters re-enter and a removed sub can't re-enter.)

We also have to play everyone on defense for 6 outs (unless the game ends early by 10 run rule or something).

If I bat 9 and use HS subs: Let's say I have 12 players. 9 start and 3 enter as subs in the third inning. Then in the 6th my subs come out so now I have 9 starters on the field and 3 players who are done. Under HS rules, if one of these 9 starters is then injured, can a sub now re-enter? Or do we have to run 8 on the field?

We have to play everyone in the field, which is a great thing, but it doesn't work well with unforeseen circumstances, because we can't keep someone on the bench, ready to sub in if needed.

 

 

[RBIbaseball]

2 hours ago, Tog Gee said:

In my city league we can elect to bat all players and use free defensive substitution or bat only 9 with substitutes like in HS (only starters re-enter and a removed sub can't re-enter.)

We also have to play everyone on defense for 6 outs (unless the game ends early by 10 run rule or something).

If I bat 9 and use HS subs: Let's say I have 12 players. 9 start and 3 enter as subs in the third inning. Then in the 6th my subs come out so now I have 9 starters on the field and 3 players who are done. Under HS rules, if one of these 9 starters is then injured, can a sub now re-enter? Or do we have to run 8 on the field?

We have to play everyone in the field, which is a great thing, but it doesn't work well with unforeseen circumstances, because we can't keep someone on the bench, ready to sub in if needed.

 

 

Simple answer, under NFHS rules a substitute cannot re-enter the game. Period. I know of no exception for injury.

However, your league is using some house rules to get everyone playing time. Your league is already not following standard NFHS rules regarding number of batters, defensive substitutions, and playtime requirements. It would seem silly that they would be so hard nose on a substitute re-entering due to injury.

 

But... if that is the case. My suggestion is to play the subs the first two innings as starters. Then put in the "better players" and leave them in for the rest of the game. If they get injured, you subs are still legal to re-enter... although technically, they can only re-enter for "those" players (so you need the right kid to get injured 😕 that didn't sound too right, lol)

[ousafe]

NFHS Case Book:

4.4.1 SITUATION A: F8 must leave the game in the sixth inning (a) due to an ankle injury, (b) for band practice or (c) because F8 was ejected for unsportsmanlike behavior. There are no eligible substitutes available.

RULING: In (a), (b) and (c), the game will be continued with an automatic out being called whenever it is F8's turn at bat. The team may play with eight and if an eligible substitute shows up later, the team may return to playing with nine players. 

[Velho]

3 hours ago, RBIbaseball said:

But... if that is the case. My suggestion is to play the subs the first two innings as starters. Then put in the "better players" and leave them in for the rest of the game.

My $0.02: play CBO the whole way

[maven]

21 hours ago, Tog Gee said:

We have to play everyone in the field, which is a great thing, but it doesn't work well with unforeseen circumstances, because we can't keep someone on the bench, ready to sub in if needed.

I think it matters the level—both age and competition—how to proceed.

For 10U and below, and for "rec ball," let a sub go back in. Getting more field time will be valuable.

For older and more competitive leagues, enforce the substitution rule as written.

[BDad]

With Little League mandatory play rules (similar but not exactly like your sub rules), the opposing manager would select a player previously in the lineup to replace the injured player. Since you're already modifying HS rules, I suppose you could choose to adopt this approach.

Rule 3.03 NOTE 3: If during a game either team is unable to place nine (9) players on the field due to illness, injury, ejection, or inability to make a legal substitution, the opposing manager shall select a player previously used in the line-up to re-enter the game, but only if use of all eligible players has exhausted the roster. A player ejected from the game is not eligible for re-entry.