If an illegal substitute bats and advances to second base, what is the ruling?

When an illegal substitute bats and is subsequently discovered, the ruling is that the substitute is declared out. This ruling serves a critical role in maintaining the integrity of the game and adhering to the rules regarding proper substitutions. Additionally, once the illegal substitution is recognized, any other runners on base must return to their original bases. This ensures that the play is correctly adjudicated under the established guidelines of baseball or softball, reinforcing the importance of following the proper procedural norms during a game.

This ruling helps to prevent any unfair advantage that might arise from using an illegal substitute and ensures that the teams remain in compliance with the regulations of the game. The other options suggest scenarios where the penalties would not adequately reinforce the intent of the substitution rules, undermining their purpose within the sport.