Under speed-up rules, what happens if the catcher who initially had a courtesy runner later obtains another plate appearance in the same half-inning and is again walked or reaches base?

Under speed-up rules, what happens if the catcher who initially had a courtesy runner later obtains another plate appearance in the same half-inning and is again walked or reaches base?

• A. The same courtesy runner must run for him.
• B. The same courtesy runner may run for him.
• C. The catcher may run for himself.
• D. Both B and C.

Answer: (D)

Under the speed-up rule, a courtesy runner is allowed for the catcher to help keep the game moving. If that catcher later reaches base again in the same half-inning and is subsequently walked or put on base again, the rules permit either the same courtesy runner to run for him again or the catcher to run for himself on that plate appearance. This flexibility exists so the team can choose what best fits the moment—reuse the same runner for continuity, or let the catcher run himself if that’s more convenient. Therefore, both scenarios are permitted.

Under the speed-up rule, a courtesy runner is allowed for the catcher to help keep the game moving. If that catcher later reaches base again in the same half-inning and is subsequently walked or put on base again, the rules permit either the same courtesy runner to run for him again or the catcher to run for himself on that plate appearance. This flexibility exists so the team can choose what best fits the moment—reuse the same runner for continuity, or let the catcher run himself if that’s more convenient. Therefore, both scenarios are permitted.