Thu May 02, 2013 7:50 pm
The rules, in both the board and online games, stipulate that the first baseman and the shortstop are considered to playing in when a runner is being held on first and a LH batter is at the plate. The first and second basemen are considered to be playing in when a RH battter is hitting. Hughes being a RH, Mantle would be batting left, hence the gbA+ rule dos not apply to the second baseman and the double play is correct. The same LH vs. RH pitcher rules apply when a runner is being held at second base--i.e., the SS would be edging over toward 2B (and thus considered playing in) if a LH hitter was up, not the second baseman, and vice versa.
Incidentally, in the board game, the latest rules do not require that an A stealer, or even an * runner be held automatically--it's at the manager's discretion. If an * runner is not held on 1b, then add +2 to his steal rating after the pitcher's hold rating and the catcher's arm are factored in.
And the online game allows you to play the infield back with a runner on third and less than two outs until the sixth inning--again, manager;'s discretion on the team strategy page.