The Rule

6.01 Batting Order

(a) - Each player of the offensive team shall bat in the order that their name appears in the team’s batting order.

(b) - The first batter in each inning after the first inning shall be the player whose name follows that of the last player who legally completed a time at bat in the preceding inning.

NOTE: In the event that while a batter is in the batter’s box, the third out of an inning is made on a base runner, the batter then at bat shall be the first batter of the next inning and the count of balls and strikes shall start over.

Rule 6.01 Summary: Batting Order and Continuity

Batters must take their turns at bat in the order listed in the official batting lineup.
The first batter in each inning (after the first) is the player listed in the batting order directly after the last player who completed a legal at-bat in the previous inning. If an inning ends while a batter is still at the plate due to a third out made by a base runner, that batter becomes the first batter in the next inning, starting with a fresh count.

Example of Rule Application

(a) Correct Batting Order: If Player A, Player B, and Player C are listed in the order, they must bat in that sequence. If Player C bats before Player B, it is a batting-out-of-order violation.

(b) Carryover Batter: In the bottom of the second inning, Player C is up to bat when the third out is made on the base paths. Player C will bat first in the third inning with no balls or strikes counted.

The Rule

6.07 - BATTING OUT OF TURN

(a) - A batter shall be called out, on appeal, when failing to bat in his/her proper turn, and another batter completes a time at bat in place of the proper batter.

1. The proper batter may take a position in the batter’s box at any time before the improper batter becomes a runner or is retired, and any balls and strikes shall be counted in the proper batter’s time at bat.

(b) - When an improper batter becomes a runner or is retired, and the defensive team appeals to the umpire before the first pitch to the next batter of either team, or before any play or attempted play, the umpire shall:

1. Declare the proper batter out; and
   
   

2. Nullify any advance or score made because of a ball batted by the improper batter or because of the improper batter’s advance to first base on a hit, an error, a base on balls, a hit batter, or otherwise.

NOTE: If a runner advances, while the improper batter is at bat, on a stolen base, illegal pitch [Intermediate (50-70) Division/Junior/Senior League: balk], wild pitch, or passed ball, such advance is legal.

(c) - When an improper batter becomes a runner or is retired, and a pitch is made to the next batter of either team before an appeal is made, the improper batter thereby becomes the proper batter, and the results of such time at bat become legal.

(d)

1. - When the proper batter is called out for failing to bat in turn, the next batter shall be the batter whose name follows that of the proper batter thus called out;
   
   

2. - When an improper batter becomes a proper batter because no appeal is made before the next pitch, 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.

Rule 6.07 Summary: Batting Out of Turn

Batting out of turn occurs when a batter bats in the place of the proper batter listed in the lineup. If the improper batter completes their at-bat and no appeal is made, the proper batter can step in before the improper batter becomes a runner or is retired. Any balls or strikes accumulated count toward the proper batter's at-bat. If the improper batter becomes a runner or is retired and the defensive team appeals before a pitch to the next batter or any play, the umpire will declares the proper batter out and nullify any advances or scores resulting from the improper batter's actions. Although, Advances on a stolen base, illegal pitch, wild pitch, or passed ball are still legal and stand.

If a pitch is made to the next batter before an appeal is made, the improper batter's actions are legalized, and they become the proper batter. If the proper batter is called out for not batting in turn, the next batter is the one whose name follows the proper batter. If an improper batter is legalized, the batting order resumes with the next batter following the now-legalized improper batter.

Examples of Rule Application

1. Appeal Made: Batter A was supposed to bat but Batter B bats instead and hits a single. The defensive team appeals before the next pitch. The umpire calls Batter A out, and Batter B’s single is nullified. The next batter is the one listed after Batter A in the lineup.

2. No Appeal: Batter B bats instead of Batter A, hits a double, and the defensive team does not appeal before the next pitch. Batter B’s actions are legalized, and the batting order continues with the batter following Batter B.

3. Stolen Base During Improper At-Bat: While Batter B (improper batter) is batting, a runner steals second base. The defensive team appeals after Batter B hits a single. Batter A is called out, Batter B’s single is nullified, but the runner's stolen base stands.