2025-26 NFHS Softball

Batting Out Of Order

Updated 1/05/2026

Batting Out Of Order

• If an improper batter is discovered while still at bat-
• The proper batter replaces them and assumes the improper batter's ball and strike count. (7-1-1)�

Batting Out Of Order

Rule 7-1-2

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After the first inning, the first batter in each inning shall be the player whose name follows that of the last batter who completed a time at bat in the preceding inning.

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Batting out of order

Rule 7-1-2, PENALTY (Art. 1, 2)

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1. A batter shall be called out on appeal when the batter fails to bat in the proper order and another batter completes a time at bat in the batter’s place.

Note: Only the defensive team may appeal batting out of order after the batter has completed the time at bat.

2. When an improper batter becomes a runner or is put out and the defensive team appeals to the umpire before:
1. a pitch, legal or illegal, to the next batter;
2. an intentional base on balls has occurred or;
3. all infielders have left fair territory and the catcher vacates the normal fielding position if a half-inning has ended.

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Batting out of order

Rule 7-1-2, Effects PENALTY 2

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EFFECTS:

1. The umpire shall declare the batter who should have batted out (not the improper batter).
2. The improper batter's time at bat is negated and the batter is returned to the dugout/bench area.
3. All runners called out prior to discovery of the infraction remain out and runners who were not declared out must return to the base occupied at the time of the pitch.
4. If a runner advances because of a stolen base, wild pitch or passed ball (F.P.) while the improper batter is at bat, such advance is legal.

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NOTE: If any situation arises which could lead to an appeal by the defense on the

last play of the game, umpires should not leave the field until all infielders have left

fair territory and the normal fielding position has been vacated by the catcher. Once

teams line up to shake hands, there is little chance for an appeal even if the defensive

infielders have not crossed the foul line and umpires can leave the game at this point.

No appeal can be made once the umpires have left the field.

Batting out of order

Rule 7-1-2, PENALTY 3

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3. When an improper batter has completed a turn at bat and no appeal has been made before:
1. a pitch, legal or illegal, to the next batter;
2. an intentional base on balls has occurred or;
3. all infielders have left fair territory and the catcher vacates the normal fielding position if a half-inning has ended.

EFFECT: The improper batter becomes the proper batter and the result of the batter’s time at bat becomes legal.

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Batting Out Of Order

Rule 7-1-2, PENALTIES 4-6

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4. When the proper batter is called out because the batter has failed to bat in turn. The next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of the proper batter who was called out.
5. When an improper batter becomes a proper batter because no appeal is properly made as above. The next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of such legalized improper batter. The instant an improper batter's actions are legalized, the batting order picks up with the name following that of the legalized improper batter.
6. When several players bat out of order before discovery so that a player’s time at bat occurs while the batter is a runner. Such player remains on base, but is NOT out as a batter, and misses the player's time at bat with no penalty.

Batting Out of Order Flowchart�

IMPROPER BATTER IS DISCOVERED

Has the

batter completed their

turn at bat?

Proper batter takes their position in batter’s box assumes current ball and strike count

Proper batter is ruled out, any outs on the play stand, any advancement due to the play is nullified, the runners are returned to their base, the person following the batter that was ruled out is the next batter.

The incorrect batter becomes a legal batter whenever a pitch is thrown (legal or illegal) and intentional walk or the infielders have vacated their normal fielding positions and left fair territory. All action that occurred stands (runs scored, runner advancement, or outs made).

Has there

been a pitch (legal or

illegal) to the next

batter?

Batting Out of Order

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Sample Plays

NFHS Softball Batting Out Of Order

Play 1

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With R1 on 1B, B3 skips B2 in the batting order. The error is discovered by the defensive team and reported to the umpire after B3 has a 0-2 count.

Result 1�

IMPROPER BATTER IS DISCOVERED

Has the

batter completed their

turn at bat?

Proper batter takes their position in batter’s box assumes current ball and strike count

B3 is replaced by B2 who assumes the 0-2 count.

(7-1-1)

NFHS Softball Batting Out Of Order

Play 2

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With no outs, R1 on 1B and B2 scheduled to bat, B4 comes to bat instead and grounds into a double play. The defense appeals B4 batting out of order before a pitch to the next batter.

Result 2�

IMPROPER BATTER IS DISCOVERED

Has the

batter completed their

turn at bat?

Proper batter is ruled out, any outs on the play stand, any advancement due to the play is nullified, the runners are returned to their base, the person following the batter that was ruled out is the next batter.

Has there

been a pitch (legal or

illegal) to the next

batter?

The out on R1 stands, B2 is out for missing their turn at bat, resulting in the 2^nd out. B3 is up to bat with two outs.

(7-1-2 Penalty 2)

NFHS Softball Batting Out Of Order

Play 3

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With R1 on 3B, B5 skips B4 in the batting order. B5 gets a base hit scoring R1 and ending up safe at first base. Following a pitch to B6, the defensive team appeals that B5 batted out of order.

Result 3�

IMPROPER BATTER IS DISCOVERED

Has the

batter completed their

turn at bat?

The incorrect batter becomes a legal batter whenever a pitch is thrown (legal or illegal) an intentional walk or the infielders have vacated their normal fielding positions and left fair territory. All action that occurred stands (runs scored, runner advancement, or outs made).

Has there

been a pitch (legal or

illegal) to the next

batter?

The appeal is denied. The pitch to B6 made B5 the legal batter all action on the play stands. (7-1-2 Penalty 3)

NFHS Softball Batting Out Of Order

Play 4

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B3 leads off the inning followed by B1 and then B2 with all reaching base safely. With B3 now on 3B, B4 takes one pitch and the defense appeals batting out of order.

Result 4�

IMPROPER BATTER IS DISCOVERED

Has the

batter completed their

turn at bat?

The incorrect batter becomes a legal batter whenever a pitch is thrown (legal or illegal) an intentional walk or the infielders have vacated their normal fielding positions and left fair territory. All action that occurred stands (runs scored, runner advancement, or outs made).

Has there

been a pitch (legal or

illegal) to the next

batter?

The appeal is denied. B3, who is on base, merely misses their turn at bat with no penalty and B4 becomes the proper batter.

(7-1-2 Penalty 6)

NFHS Softball Batting Out Of Order

Play 5

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With no outs, B1 bats and reaches 1B safely.  B3 bats next, skipping B2 in the batting order. On the first pitch R1 steals second base, then with a 1-1 count, the defense intentionally walks B3. Before a pitch to the next batter, the defense appeals that B3 batted out of order.

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Result 5�

IMPROPER BATTER IS DISCOVERED

Has the

batter completed their

turn at bat?

Proper batter is ruled out, any outs on the play stand, any advancement due to the play is nullified, the runners are returned to their base, the person following the batter that was ruled out is the next batter.

Has there

been a pitch (legal or

illegal) to the next

batter?

R1’s advancement stands. B2, the batter who should have batted, is ruled out.  B3 comes up to bat with one out. 

(7-1-2 Penalty 2)

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