If someone discovers an unreported substitute after the first pitch, what is the ruling?

When an unreported substitute is discovered after the first pitch, the correct ruling is that there is no penalty as the substitute is now officially in the game. This means that once the substitute enters the game despite not being reported, the game continues as if that player was always part of the lineup.

The rationale behind this ruling is based on the principle that the game can continue as long as the actions taken by the teams don’t violate fundamental rules or disrupt the game's integrity. The focus is on maintaining the flow of play and ensuring that the game continues efficiently without undue penalties for minor administrative oversights, such as failing to report a substitute before the first pitch.

In contrast, forfeit scenarios or penalties usually arise from more serious breaches of conduct, such as repeated violations or actions that compromise the integrity of the game. In this case, since the substitute has already taken the field, the game proceeds normally, and the presence of the unreported substitute is officially recognized moving forward.