If the plate umpire discovers a player is not listed on the lineup card, what should happen?

• A. Allow Jones to pinch-hit and mark the change on the lineup card.
• B. Not allow Jones to hit.
• C. Restrict Jones' head coach to the bench for failure to list all substitutes.
• D. Allow the substitution, but issue a warning to the head coach.

Answer: (A)

Lineup cards are the official record of who’s in the game and in what role they enter or exit. If a player is not listed but is going to pinch-hit, the plate umpire should allow the at-bat and immediately record the substitution on the lineup card. This keeps the roster accurate and the batting order intact while the game continues. The key is that the substitute is entering legally and that the change is properly noted so the official record reflects the correct participants. This approach avoids unnecessary penalties and keeps play moving, since the main issue—properly documenting who is in the game—can be resolved on the spot.