djvh@drutx.UUCP (VanHandelDJ) (02/20/85)
>> Ok, here is a question concerning substitutions. I think it is legal, but >> I'd like to know for sure. Scenario: 2 outs, pitcher (batting ninth) coming >> up to bat. Manager pinch-hits for pitcher, pinch-hitter makes 3rd out. Then >> manager makes a defensive substitution for the #1 batter, but puts >> the new fielder in the 9th slot, and the new pitcher in the 1st slot. Next >> inning, the #1 batter is to bat (new pitcher), but manager pinch-hits for him. >> So, the manager gets a pinch-hitter in 2 consecutive innings. >... >> On second thought, >> this sort of lineup change may only be permissible when the 1st pinch-hitter >> stays in the game as the defensive substitute for the #1 hitter; he is then >> constrained to bat in the #9 slot, and then the new pitcher has to take what >> is freed by the substitution (#1 slot). > >I don't have a rule book, but I'm pretty sure that it's legal. The rule is >that once a player is in the lineup, his position in the batting order cannot >be changed, but in the National League, his fielding position, even if it's >pitcher, can be changed as many times as the manager wants. > I agree that these position switches are perfectly legal. However, I think there is a rule regarding position switches with pitchers. I think the rule is as follows: A pitcher can be switched to a different position, then moved back to pitcher only once per inning. Dave Van Handel