In a baseball game a batter hits a home run. The umpire then discovers the fielding team only has 8 players in the field. Does the home run count?
by 
dashriprock85
ANSWERS: 3
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I would allow it because the number of players on the field had no impact on the outcome of the play. I wouldn't penalize the offence for my oversight of noticing a problem that the defence caused.
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In my reading of the rules, the defense does not HAVE to field nine players. The lack of proper defense had nothing to do with the pitch or the hit. It's a homerun.
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Not every possible situation is covered by the rules. That said, the intent of the rules is clear. Baseball is a game between two teams of nine players each (Rule 1.01) and the defense is expected to play the game with nine players on defense (Rule 4.17). The situation is covered by at least one authoritative professional interpretation (Jim Evans). According to that interpretation, no inning can begin and no action can take place with less than nine defensive players on the field. If an inning inadvertently starts with less than nine players, all action taking place with less than nine players is nullified. Under pro rules, a team cannot play with less than nine defensive players. While it may not seem fair to penalize the offense for the defense's mistake, the home run should not be allowed. If anyone has a conflicting professional interpretation, I'd be interested in reading it.
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