Details: Parent Category: Larry's Corner

NINE MAJOR RULES OR INTERPRETATIONS WHERE

HIGH SCHOOL, NCAA AND PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TREAT THE SITUATION DIFERENTLY

I. THE DESIGNATED HITTER RULE

A. HIGH SCHOOL – The DH and the player for whom he bats (or has batted) are ‘locked’ into a single position in the batting order. The DH and that player (or players) may not play defense at the same time since they occupy the same spot in the lineup. The DH may bat for any defensive player and all subsequent substitutes for that player. If no DH is listed, there cannot be any DH in the game. The DH is terminated when he plays defense. The DH is not terminated if the pitcher moves to another defensive position because the DH may bat for anyone and not just the pitcher.B. NCAA – The DH bats only for the pitcher. If no DH is listed, the pitcher is automatically the DH or more precisely, the P/DH. If the DH plays defense, the pitcher bats for the replaced defensive player, unless multiple substitutions are made, when the coach may designate their spots in the lineup. In NCAA, the DH may pitch without terminating the DH and that is not true in the other codes.C. OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES – The DH bats only for the pitcher. If no DH is listed, there is no DH for the rest of the game. If the DH plays defense, the pitcher bats for the replaced defensive player, unless multiple substitutions are made, when the coach may designate their spots in the lineup. The DH is terminated when he plays defense.