What happens when an illegal substitute hits a home run with the bases loaded and is detected before the next pitch?

When an illegal substitute hits a home run with the bases loaded and is detected before the next pitch, the correct outcome is that the illegal substitute is restricted to the bench and no runs score. This is because the presence of an illegal substitute means that the player was not eligible to participate in the game. In accordance with the rules, once the illegal status of the substitute is discovered, it results in the player being removed from the game, and any plays that occurred while that player was in the game, including a home run with runners on base, are nullified.

The ruling emphasizes the importance of having a lineup made up of eligible players, and any runs scored or plays made by an illegal substitute cannot stand, thereby protecting the integrity of the game. The other outcomes suggested would imply that the illegal actions of the substitute would somehow benefit the team, which contradicts the foundational rules governing eligibility and fairness in the sport.