DH and Reenter Rule
Posted: 5/27/2014
Q: Team A is using a DH for it's catcher. In the 1st inning, the DH reaches first base. Team A's coach removes the DH and has the catcher run for himself. Before the a pitch is thrown to the next batter, Team A's coach asks for a courtesy runner for the catcher. Is this permissible?
I realize the starting DH is now out of the game, and the DH position is removed for the rest of the game. However, the starting DH could re-enter in place of the catcher (as a pinch hitter, for instance). Then, the starting catcher could re-enter and potentially be courtesy run for if the batter reaches base, right?
At this point, the DH would be done for the day, but the catcher would remain in the game (and in the batting order). The courtesy runner would still retain eligibility to enter as a substitute later in the game as well. We are currently using a DH for our catcher in most of our games, so we potentially could be in this situation.
A: Rule 3-1-3; Any of the starting players may be withdrawn and re-entered once, including a player who was the designated hitter, provided such player occupies the same batting position when ever he is in the lineup.
In the first scenario, the catcher replaces the DH and runs for himself. No problem.The DH position is eliminated for the remainder of the game The DH is out of the lineup and can re-enter, but only in the same place he was in, in the original lineup. If the coach requests a courtesy runner for the catcher at this time, no problem.
In the second scenario the player who was the DH enters the game in place of the catcher. No problem, as he has re-entry since he was one of the starters. If the catcher is now re-entered, no problem, as he has re-entry since he was one of the starters. The person who was the DH is now done for the remainder of the game.
Potentially the catcher could be moved to a different position and the use of a courtesy runner would be in jeopardy due to the fact that you cannot project a substitution, that being he might not be the catcher when they go on defense. My reasoning on this is because they are both substitutions and not position players yet, due to the fact the catcher was substituted for, and then he substituted back in.
The third question, yes the DH is done for the day and the courtesy runner can still be used as a substitute.
