When a team plays with fewer than nine players due to lack of substitutes, what happens during the player's absence?

When a team is unable to field nine players due to a lack of substitutes, the rules dictate that an out is declared whenever the absent player's turn comes up. This means that for each of the absent player's turn at bat during the game, the team automatically records an out. This rule helps maintain the flow of the game and ensures that play continues, despite the team’s inability to fill all positions due to the player’s absence. The rationale for this rule is to prevent unnecessary delays and to allow the game to progress without interruption.

In contrast, other scenarios like pausing the game or declaring automatic disqualification would disrupt the event and are not allowed under established rules. Similarly, replacing a player at any time would conflict with the stipulated number of players required for play. Thus, option B accurately reflects the protocol in such situations, emphasizing the continuous nature of the game while accounting for the team’s shortfall in players.