Making and verifying in-game substitutions

[spinowner]

I sort of apologize because this is sort of a double post (from the 7/25 game thread) but I thought this was the proper forum for people to discuss or comment on this matter. I didn't see the confusion that occurred during the aforementioned game but I think this shows that there is room to improve the system of substituting beyond an umpire writing it down. I would think that some type of electronic system would be available using I-pads or something similar that would enable the managers, the umpire, and the scorer to see and verify substitutions before play resumes.

I read that someone speculated that there may have been confusion between position numbers and player uniform numbers. For the purpose of scoring each play it's fine for the position numbers to be used in the scorebook. However, for the batting orders, lineups, and available bench players I think that uniform numbers should be the only stand-alone numbers used. For positions I propose using only P, C, 1B, 2B, 3B, SS, LF, CF, RF, DH, PH, and PR. The one problem about this is that it would be necessary to eliminate the Jackie Robinson tribute day every season. I have a ton of respect for what Jackie Robinson accomplished and I think it's fitting that 42 is a retired number everywhere but I think having every player wear 42 once a year is a bit silly.

[wsnydes]

I think the simplest solution would simply be to have the manager verify that what the ump wrote down is correct.  Sit there and watch him write it down, verify, head back to the dugout.  That protects both the manager and the umpires.  Sometimes the managers are far to nonchalant about making double switches and it's a wonder these things don't happen more often.  

 

I believe that the more experienced NL managers do just this to avoid any possible confusion.  It's just good practice.

[Winston Smith]

Somebody made a mistake, it happens. No reason to go over board changing how things have worked just fine for over a 100 years. How many games are played and how often has this happened?

If you want perfect play video game baseball.

 

The worst thing about it is Dick will talk about this the rest of the year.

[spinowner]

Upon further review...

This would be overkill.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Upon further review...

This would be overkill.

Not really! I want to know more. There was a player who apparently re-entered the game after being taken out. That might be unprecedented; or at least very, very few instances of it since the rule was established back whenever. The managers' comments were ambiguous and incomplete, and we still haven't heard from the umpires.

 

If you have nothing productive to sa------- oh wait, you started the thread.

[spinowner]

 

Not really! I want to know more. There was a player who apparently re-entered the game after being taken out. That might be unprecedented; or at least very, very few instances of it since the rule was established back whenever. The managers' comments were ambiguous and incomplete, and we still haven't heard from the umpires.

If you have nothing productive to sa------- oh wait, you started the thread.

I would really like to hear public remarks from the umpires involved, but I don't think that's going to happen. Molitor's comments remind me of the famous Alan Greenspan quote: "I know you think you understand what you thought I said but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant”

[Ebby Calvin Laloosh]

Common sense! Everyone in the ballpark knew what Molly was trying to do. It's the same double switch that's been happening for over 100 years in baseball. Whatever Molly said and the ump heard is unknown. It really doesn't matter, we all know what the intention was, even Dodgers fans. Just figure it out...quickly!

 

That being said, Molly screwed up somehow. If the ump blew it, Molly would/should have protested the game immediately. He didn't, as far as I know, which leads me to believe he blew it. Didn't really influence the game, I don't think, but an inexplicable (at the time) 25 minute delay is just nutso for something like that. Between Maeda's snails pace and the Twins inability to make a simple substitution, that game was brutal to watch. Good thing we don't have to throw pitches to intentionally walk a batter, that's really helping pace of play. 

[drjim]

I don't doubt Molitor screwed up, but isn't it really stupid that screwing that up on a technicality is even an option?

 

If the umpires are able to reverse everything after a pitch and a 20 minute delay, can't they just use some discretion and get the original intent correct? Would that have any actual impact on the game?

[spinowner]

 

I don't doubt Molitor screwed up, but isn't it really stupid that screwing that up on a technicality is even an option?

If the umpires are able to reverse everything after a pitch and a 20 minute delay, can't they just use some discretion and get the original intent correct? Would that have any actual impact on the game?

A team has to have on the field the players in the current lineup. It's not up to the umpires to notify either team when there's a mistake. If team A makes a mistake it's up to team B, specifically team B's manager, to call them on it. It's just like batting out of order or a missed base by a baserunner. That said, instead of the manager telling the umpire who is entering the game I think the manager should be able to simply put the players on the field that he wants on the field and the umpires should record that. In the case of two or more players entering the game at the same time the umpire would keep the same field positions in the same batting order positions unless the manager informs the umpires which player bats in which batting order position.