I need some opinions on the ethics of this situation. We were in a pool play game, score 0-0, home team at bat with the time limit approaching. Our opponents have a runner on 1st with 2 out. Our scorekeeper comes over and says that he thinks the other team might be batting out of order. While us coaches are gathered together looking at the book the batter unexpectedly lays down a bunt toward the 1st base side of the pitchers mound. What follows is a play I haven't seen since Little League. Our 1st baseman doesn't charge, which is actually OK because our 2nd baseman forgets to rotate to 1st, however this leaves our lefty pitcher to field the bunt which she actually does fairly well. But the throw is too late. The runner rounding 2nd, who is rather big and slow, seeing that the base is not covered, continues lumbering toward 3rd. Our 1st baseman, not exactly a track star herself, charges toward 3rd with the ball up in the throwing position, with the left fielder and 3rd baseman converging on the base she launches a wild throw that goes to the fence. The runner rounds 3rd and heads home. The left fielder gets to the ball and heaves another wild throw home. With the pitcher, catcher and 1st baseman chasing the wild throw home is uncovered and the bunter comes home standing up! The coaches are stunned by the whole thing, but this is our 1st tournament and we have only had one practice since we got our team back together. The bunter was actually batting out of order, time expired during the discussion and the game ended in a tie.
My question is this: what would have been the right thing to do if we knew the other team was indeed batting out of order? Stop the game and correct the situation or let it play out knowing that we had a sure out and the inning was effectively over?
My question is this: what would have been the right thing to do if we knew the other team was indeed batting out of order? Stop the game and correct the situation or let it play out knowing that we had a sure out and the inning was effectively over?
