Q: A question regarding the Speed Up Rules on page 64 of the NFHS Baseball Rules Book and the NFHS Baseball Case Book situation on page 94 situation 4. The speed up rule #1 (on page 64 of the rule book) states: “In the event that the offensive team bats around, the pitcher and/or catcher who had a courtesy runner inserted on their behalf may bat in their normal position in the batting order.” In the Case Book on page 94, CR 4 situation, the ruling states: “Legal. While F1 may not return in the half-inning as a runner on the bases, he may return as a batter.” If F1 reaches base after batting around, must he have the same courtesy runner run for him. Can F1 run for himself if he reaches base a second time in an inning?
A: If the team bats around, F1 is permitted to bat for himself only since he had a courtesy runner earlier in the same inning. If F1 gets on base a second time during the same inning after having a courtesy runner in the same inning, F1 must have a courtesy runner unless none exist.