If an umpire discovers that S1 was in the game earlier without reporting, what is the ruling?

The ruling that S1 is allowed to remain in the game is based on the principle that players must be reported to the umpire when they enter the game. However, if the umpire discovers that S1 was not reported but has been participating, that player is typically allowed to remain in the game as part of maintaining the flow of play and ensuring the game is not unduly disrupted.

In many sports governed by NFHS rules, there are provisions that distinguish between an illegal substitute and a situation where a player simply fails to report their entry. The intention of these rules is often to protect the integrity of the game while allowing some flexibility in enforcement, particularly when the actions have not adversely affected the competition or the integrity of the game itself.

The other options reflect situations that do not align with the standard rulings in these scenarios. Treating S1 as an illegal substitute would not apply in this case since the player is already engaged in the game; declaring that S1’s presence has no effect on the game's outcome overlooks the fact that procedural errors should typically be addressed; and restarting the game from the last pitch is generally reserved for more severe infractions that significantly impact the game's conduct.