Is it true that if you put your DH into a defensive position, that you must also make your pitcher bat?

Question

I've never heard this rule before until yesterday when I was playing ESPN 2005 Major League Baseball, and it happened to me... Is it true?

Ok in that case, since it's tough to pick a DH, do you think Tony LaRussa has thought about not choosing one and going with the pitcher in the lineup?

Or has he already picked one?

Answer 1

Yes it is true the DH becomes a fielder and the pitcher takes the at bat position of the previous fielder

Any League may elect to use the Designated Hitter Rule.
(a) In the event of inter-league competition between clubs of Leagues using the Designated Hitter Rule and clubs of Leagues not using the Designated Hitter Rule, the rule will be used as follows:
1. In World Series or exhibition games, the rule will be used or not used as is the practice of the home team.
2. In All-Star games, the rule will only be used if both teams and both Leagues so agree.
(b) The Rule provides as follows:
A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and allsubsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game. A Designated Hitter for the pitcher must be selected prior to the game and must be includedin the lineup cards presented to the Umpire in Chief.
The designated hitter named in the starting lineup must come to bat at least one time, unless the opposing club changes pitchers.
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.
Pinch hitters for a Designated Hitter may be used. Any substitute hitter for a Designated Hitter becomes the Designated Hitter. A replaced Designated Hitter shall not re-enter the game in any capacity.
The Designated Hitter may be used defensively, continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution is made, and the manager then must designate their spots in the batting order.
A runner may be substituted for the Designated Hitter and the runner assumes the role of Designated Hitter. A Designated Hitter may not pinch run.
A Designated Hitter is “locked” into the batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting rotation of the Designated Hitter.
Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a defensive position this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game.
Once a pinch hitter bats for any player in the batting order and then enters the game to pitch, this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game.
Once the game pitcher bats for the Designated Hitter this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. (The game pitcher may only pinch-hit for the Designated Hitter.)
Once a Designated Hitter assumes a defensive position this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. A substitute for the Designated Hitter need not be announced until it is the Designated Hitter’s turn to bat.

I would have to assume he will use the DH since over 90% of the bench players have better battng averages. You also don't want to risk running a pitcher and hurting him.

Answer 2

Yes, that is correct. The Cards will use a DH. I can only think of one time where a team actually chose to forego the DH and that was in the '70s when the Yankees let Rick Rhoden (I think) bat for himself).

Answer 3

MLB Rulebook: "as quickly as the sport pitcher is switched from the mound to a shielding line this pass shall terminate the DH function for something of the sport. as quickly as a pinch-hitter bats for any participant interior the batting order and then enters the sport to pitch, this pass shall terminate the precise Hitter function for something of the sport. as quickly as a delegated Hitter assumes a shielding line this pass shall terminate the precise Hitter function for something of the sport. " So definite, a shielding change interior the AL with the pitcher and place participant WILL terminate the DH spot and it would be like a countrywide League lineup with the pitcher's batting spot larger interior the order. EDIT: definite, the participant who's pitching will take the spot of whoever is in DH spot except they exchange for him int he batting order, wherein the pitcher might desire to be substituted for next time the are on the sector. in maximum circumstances, communities choose that DH participant nevertheless attainable so as that they are going to change him to his backup place on the sector.

Answer 4

Yes, if you have a player in the DH slot and he comes in to play defense, then yes, you lose your DH and the pitcher enters the line-up.

Answer 5

ya it's true , you don't want your pitcher to bat cause if he gets hurt your screwed, if he was the best pitcher of the team too. You can let your pitcher bat if he was like Babe Ruth who hits home runs all threw the game.

Answer 6

Yes it's true. The last time that I saw it happen was with the Red Sox and Clemens had to bat.

Answer 7

Yes you do.