Baseball strategy question...

[texas_ex2000]

Is it against the rules in the AL to have two pitchers in the field for the whole game? Let me explain...

Let's say you have a pretty good hitting pitcher (say he's a righthander). Can you put a lefthanded pitcher in the outfield and have them switch out on every at bat depending on the batter? Obviously one pitcher will have the DH to hit for him.

Think about it, the benefits of a lefty/lefty righty/righty matchup on every AB would most likely make up for the marginal offense between the regular 9 hitter and a good hitting pitcher. Plus you'd pinch hit for the hitting pitcher after the 5th inning most likely...so you're maybe talking just two ABs.

 

[where_are_my_8s]

I'm pretty sure you can as far as the rules are concerned but that would be horrible on your arm. I guess maybe late in the game it would be more of a possibility but certainly not to start a game.

 

[Horn_83]

You would lose the DH.

Rule 6.10 "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."

 

[cehorn]

Something similar to this happened in a game a couple of weeks ago. It was late in the game and the manager (sorry I don't remember what teams were playing) didn't want to lose his lefthanded pitcher for a right handed batter or 2. Basically a lefthanded pitcher was brought in to pitch to a lefty batter. Then when the righty came up to bat, the manager moved his lefthanded pitcher to leftfield, pulled his leftfielder and broght in a righthanded pitcher. After the righthanded batter, the manager pulled the righthanded pitcher, moved his lefty back to the mound to face the lefty and brought in a new leftfielder. It worked.

 

[texas_ex2000]

Horn63, what if the "game pitcher" or starting pitcher is hitting for himself...and the DH is hitting for the left fielder?

 

[Bob in Houston]

The DH can hit only for the pitcher.

 

[Texas Wahoo]

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