When has a pitcher officially entered the game?

Question
QUESTION: In ASA softball, is it true that between innings if a defensive player enters the pitcher's circle with the game ball and touches the pitcher's plate that she must pitch at least one ball during the inning or an illegal substitution will have occurred?  We were informed by an umpire during a recent game that he "could have" made such a call against one of our players if the opposing coach had chosen to press the matter.

ANSWER: Hi Curt,

Never heard of this ASA rule, I wonder where he got it?

A sub is someone who takes the place of someone already in the batting order,  if both these players (pitcher and another defensive player) were already in the bo, how can that be an illegal substitution?

In fact I know what an unreported sub and an illegal player are, but I don't know what an illegal sub is.

mark

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks, Mark --

The specific point in question was that the player who picked up the ball in the pitcher's circle and touched the pitching rubber -- even though during the warmup time between innings -- was now committed to throw at least one pitch to the next batter.

Answer
Hi Curt,

My point was there is no rule that says this, and that his logic was faulty on calling it an IS which doesn't exist, and it can't be an IP or a US.

So no if F3 picks up the ball in the circle and touches the pp she can flip the ball to F1 and walk over to 1st.  She does not have to throw a pitch

m