2007-09-12 18:24:05 · 16 answers · asked by Anonymous in Sports ➔ Baseball
Yes, but it happens very rarely. According to the MLB rules, an American League team does not have to use the DH, but must decide before every game (when the lineup card is brought to the umpire). A DH can take over defensively for another player in the lineup, but the pitcher will then bat in that player's spot. This has happened a handful of times, including once this season.
Also, a manager can mess up a lineup card, causing his team to forfeit the DH. Look below for examples, and the official rules.
Rarely will you see a team intentionally forfeit the DH. It would give the other team an advantage. No pitcher is a good enough hitter that a team would intentionally lose the DH.
2007-09-12 19:09:24 · answer #1 · answered by RMJ 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The starting pitcher CAN bat, if the manager chooses, but it's almost never used. If a manager wants to, he can choose not to use the DH and the pitcher can bat for himself. Also, the manager can choose to not use the DH at the start of the game and have the pitcher bat for himself all game (or have a pinch-hitter bat for the pitcher instead).
The only time it's been used recently is July 6 of this year, in a Twins-White Sox game. Joe Mauer (a catcher) was used as a DH to start the game, but the catcher for that game (Mike Redmond) was injured. Mauer had to become the new catcher, but a DH cannot be replaced, so the pitcher (Matt Garza) had to bat in the game.
So, yes, the pitcher in an AL game can bat, but the team must forfeit the DH position for the game to do so. However, it's generally a big disadvantage for the team not using the DH.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_hitter
2007-09-12 18:50:13 · answer #2 · answered by Jason P 4 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I don't know if there is an explicit rule about it (so sorry to not answer your question directly), but it would be very unlikely to happen as most pitchers who can hit decently will end up in the National League as those teams are willing to pay more for them. I believe if it is an off day for the pitcher then there is no rule against it, but I can't say with 100% certainty.
2016-05-18 03:29:33 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Use of the DH is not mandatory. I cannot think of a time it has happened in the starting lineup, however. There are occasionally games in which the DH is forfeited by one team thanks to positional changes later in the game, whereby after the pitcher does enter the batting order (whether he actually bats is up to the manager -- he can be removed for a pinch hitter).
2007-09-13 01:03:49 · answer #4 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Why do people answer questions when they obviously have NO clue what the correct answer is?
The pitcher can most certainly bat in the A.L., and the team loses the use of the DH for the remainder of the game.
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2007-09-13 06:45:32 · answer #5 · answered by Kris 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes the most common way is if a position player gets hurt, and the dh goes and plays the field the pitcher then has to bat.
2007-09-13 11:03:49 · answer #6 · answered by texasman75147 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Any AL pitcher can be in the line-up as the DH, or as a pitcher, whether or not he is in the game. The DH in the AL is an option that may or may not be taken advantage of.
2007-09-13 01:50:43 · answer #7 · answered by Frizzer 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Not at the start of the game. If the manager removes a position player from the game, and has the DH take his place in the field, then the pitcher must bat. It is possible, but rare.
2007-09-12 18:49:29 · answer #8 · answered by Rich 4 · 1⤊ 4⤋
no he cant, unless the manager uses a pitcher to pinch hit, but thats probably the only scenario that could happen.. but no starting pitcher in an american league game can bat..
2007-09-12 18:39:27 · answer #9 · answered by mclarenfreak1110 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
paczjj15 is right.
A team need not have a DH, but if one is put in the starting lineup, he must bat at least once.
6.10b
2007-09-12 18:58:55 · answer #10 · answered by DaM 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋