On away games should we bat the previous days pitcher in the 9 hole?

[razzzorsharp]

I was thinking about this and for away games is there any rule against batting your previous days pitcher in the 9 hole on the off chance he gets up to bat in the first. We could then pinch hit for him instead of having to bat our pitcher in what is more than likely a run producing spot?

 

I know this seems almost Billichek'ish but if it gives us an advantage then maybe it's something to think about.

 

I understand that this rarely does happen and you would have to weigh the difference between the pitcher and pinch hitter in terms of percentages and in the end so it might not even be worth the hassle. On the other hand, you can never have enough runs.

 

Other things to consider are whether it is against the rules and whether it would become an issue with the starting pitcher coming out of the pen in the bottom of the first.

 

Just something to consider or scoff at, either is fine.

[pogokat]

i coach high school softball and we do stuff like that all the time...in high school sports people can sub in and out as long as they stay in the same position...so you start the strong defensive player, then pinch hit for them and let the good hitter go out..then switch the defensive pro back in later in the game...

 

basically, you get two ab's out of your best pinch hitter instead of one, and 2-3 innings out of the defensive specialist instead of just 1-2...

 

it's larussa level shenanigans, but hey it's high school softball....

[bball123h2]

Methinks that is illegal. Plus you lose the pinch hitter.

 

http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/downloads/y2007/03_game_preliminaries.pdf

 

3.05

(a) The pitcher named in the batting order handed the umpire-in-chief, as provided in

Rules 4.01 (a) and 4.01 (b), shall pitch to the first batter or any substitute batter until

such batter is put out or reaches first base, unless the pitcher sustains injury or

illness which, in the judgment of the umpire-in-chief, incapacitates him from

pitching.

(b) If the pitcher is replaced, the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or

any substitute batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until the

offensive team is put out, unless the substitute pitcher sustains injury or illness

which, in the umpire-in-chief's judgment, incapacitates him for further play as a

pitcher.

© If an improper substitution is made for the pitcher, the umpire shall direct the proper

pitcher to return to the game until the provisions of this rule are fulfilled. If the

improper pitcher is permitted to pitch, any play that results is legal. The improper

pitcher becomes the proper pitcher as soon as he makes his first pitch to the batter,

or as soon as any runner is put out.

Rule 3.05© Comment: If a manager attempts to remove a pitcher in violation of Rule 3.05 ©

the umpire shall notify the manager of the offending club that it cannot be done. If, by chance, the

umpire-in-chief has, through oversight, announced the incoming improper pitcher, he should still correct

the situation before the improper pitcher pitches. Once the improper pitcher delivers a pitch he becomes

the proper pitcher.

[sbrylski]

The announce starting pitcher has to face at least one batter, or something like that. So I believe pinch hitting for the pitcher in the 1st inning is against the rules.

[Bnowell4evr]

Its definately an interesting idea. Its like a DH for one inning that can only hit once. It seems like a cheap thing to do and stat keepers would hate it. Bellicheck esque is a good way to describe it. If it was done to us Id frown upon it then wish we would do the same thing. I think its one of those things that if its done once it will open the flood gates and in the end would be better if it never happened in the first place!

 

but ya its illegal for a reason so it doesnt matter what I wrote http://forum.brewerfan.net/images/smilies/ohwell.gif

[razzzorsharp]

Case closed then.

 

It's like an episode of Mythbusters.

[Schlitz001]

A few weeks back on XM radio they were interviewing the manager who took advantage of this back in the 70s before the rule existed. The year after he started this trend, the rule was enacted. If only I could remember who it was..........

[rluzinski]

http://www.plowsunlimited.com/images/mythbusters/bustedplacard.jpg

 

 

[TooLiveBrew]

Case closed then.

It's like an episode of Mythbusters.

Well, it was a really cool question to pose. Nice creativity.

[rluzinski]

Most of the questions on mythbusters are interesting as well.

[Oldcity]

Props for the idea though. I like it.

[bball123h2]

Using my way-back machine, the Brewers could have done this and followed the rules with Brooks Kieschnick every game. Just have him hit somewhere near the top of the lineup, have him face 1 batter, and bring in your starter.

[brewerfan82]

Using my way-back machine, the Brewers could have done this and followed the rules with Brooks Kieschnick every game. Just have him hit somewhere near the top of the lineup, have him face 1 batter, and bring in your starter.

You'd almost have to hit him leadoff though. Otherwise, you'd have the pitcher's spot coming up after your leadoff guys for the rest of the game. So it's probably only worth it if you have a pitcher that's better at getting on base than your actual leadoff hitter. However, it would be cool seeing a guy like Kieschnick get 80 or so starts in a season!

[mletto157]

Having Yo as the starting pitcher is just as good! :-) Damn I love having a pitcher that can actually hit. After watching Sheets' pathetic at bats, this is something new.

[Brewguru2]

I actually suggested this last year on the JSonline forums for the Sunday afternoon Braves game in late September. They were undecided on the starter (it was eventually Capuano), so I suggested using a DH, then go to your bullpen for 2-3 inning stints and then your pitcher would never have to bat in that game.

 

Of course, the thread turned into a Ned Yost bashing thread because the simpletons over there didn't get it.

[dadofandrew]

I'm not saying it's a bad idea, but like many that come up, it might come up what, 2-3 times a year...and the other team could just as easily use it too.

[ILuvDaBush]

It would work a lot better if we had Jeff Cirillo to face a hitter to begin the game...