What if you have a pitcher that's a great hitter, and you don't want to keep him out of the batting order? Can you DH for the catcher instead?
2006-08-01 04:26:02 · 15 answers · asked by purplegreen1987 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
No.
And the designated hitter rule sucks. Worst thing about the AL.
2006-08-01 04:29:51 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
A designated hitter (often shortened to "DH"), is an official position adopted by Major League Baseball's American League in 1973 that allowed teams to boost sagging offensive performances by designating a player to bat in place of the pitcher. Since then, most amateur and minor leagues have adopted the same or similar rule, but the National League has not. No team is required to use a DH.
The designated hitter may not play a field position and he may only be replaced by another player not currently in the lineup. However, the designated hitter may change positions to become a position player at any point during the game. However, if he does so, his team forfeits the role of the designated hitter. Thus, the pitcher or a pinch hitter must bat in the newly-opened spot in the batting order.
2006-08-01 11:40:44 · answer #2 · answered by Mattman22 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You CAN use a DH for ANY player. Rule 6.10 has been misinterpreted here.
"It is not mandatory that a club designate a hitter for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a Designated Hitter for that game."
This means that if you use a DH for the pitcher, you must include his name in the lineup card or you can't use one. If you move the pitcher to another position, you can't continue using the DH. If you move the DH to a defensive position, you have to have the pitcher or a pinch hitter hit for him.
2006-08-01 13:30:46 · answer #3 · answered by Aemilia753 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
According to rule 6.10, you can only have the DH for the pitcher's position:
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/official_info/official_rules/batter_6.jsp
If your pitcher was really a great hitter, then you could just opt out of using the DH. There's nothing that ties you to having to have him in your order. And you can move your DH to another position during the game, but you've then forfeited your DH and your pitcher will be forced to bat.
2006-08-01 11:38:19 · answer #4 · answered by Craig S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can DH for any player. Typically you select the pitcher because they don't take much BP (batting practice). However, you could have the pitcher hit and DH someone else instead.
2006-08-01 11:29:30 · answer #5 · answered by Plasmapuppy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you can DH for anyone you want. The rule clearly stats that the DH can hit for anyone you wish them to. You can DH for the Second basemand if you want to or any player on the field. They are just required hit for that player. If you pull that player out the DH has to hit for the new player. If you want the new player to hit you have to give up the DH.
2006-08-01 11:29:52 · answer #6 · answered by S. Leroy 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i dont think so because the pitcher doesnt bat in the AL where the position of DH is played.
2006-08-01 11:31:23 · answer #7 · answered by jefferson 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, you can only Dh for the pitcher
but a pitcher can pitch hit ie ive seen john smoltz of atlanta do so
2006-08-01 13:03:39 · answer #8 · answered by Red Sawx ® 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No, the DH was put there for the pitchers only.
2006-08-01 11:56:02 · answer #9 · answered by PS 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Professional baseball, no. In some amature leagues (ie, high school) you can use DH for anyone.
2006-08-01 11:43:26 · answer #10 · answered by bettabass 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋