News

Q.:  Question regarding pitchers reentering the game:  What are the limitations of my starting pitcher?  Can he be taken off the mound, moved to another position, and then return to pitch? 

A.:  In the rule book on page 26 with rule 3-1-2, it states: 

ART. 2 . . . If a pitcher is replaced while his team is on defense, the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or any substitute for that batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until a third out has been made. To ensure that the requirements of this article be fulfilled, the umpire will deny any coach-defensive player conference that will violate the rule. If a pitcher is incapacitated or guilty of flagrant unsportsmanlike conduct, this rule is ignored. A player may be removed as pitcher and returned as pitcher only once per inning, provided the return as pitcher does not violate either the pitching, substitution or charged conference rule. If the pitcher, because of an injury or being incapacitated, is replaced as pitcher and the above rule is not satisfied, or if his replacement requires more warm-up throws than permitted in 6-2-2 exception, he cannot return to the game as a pitcher.  

In the book provided by the NFHS, 2012 High School Baseball Rules by Topic, on  page 182, you will find: Players may change fielding positions at any time except that  a pitcher, after being listed as such on the official lineup card handed to the umpire, cannot change until certain conditions are met.  The starting pitcher must pitch to the first batter until the first batter is out or has reached first base (3-1-1).  If the starting pitcher does not face one batter, he may play another position, but may not return to pitch (3-1-1 penalty).  If a pitcher is replaced while his team is on defense, the substitute pitcher shall pitch to the batter then at bat, or any substitute for that batter, until such batter is put out or reaches first base, or until a third out has been made (3-1-2).   

In the case book on pages 24 & 25, you will find two examples as well: 

3.1.2 SITUATION B: While taking his warm-up pitches prior to the start of the fourth inning, F1 develops a blister on the tip of his index finger and is replaced as  pitcher. F1’s replacement takes (a) the remaining number of warm-up pitches due starter F1, or (b) more warm-up pitches than starter F1 was entitled. RULING: As a substitute for the pitcher, S1 is allowed eight warm-up pitches. If S1 only takes eight warm-up pitches, F1 may return to pitch later in the game provided all other aspects of pitcher substitution have been met. If S1 needs to take more than eight warm-up pitches, that may be allowed by U1, but F1 could no longer return to pitch in this game. 

3.1.2 SITUATION C: In the top half of the first, S1 pinch hits for F1. In the bottom half of the first inning, F1 (a) re-enters to face the first batter or (b) does not re-enter until later. RULING:A substitute may replace F1 while his team is at bat without penalty. Since F1 is a starter, he shall re-enter and pitch to the first batter in the bottom of the first inning. In (a) F1 has complied with the rule. In (b), since F1 did not pitch to the first batter, F1 may ever, play another position. (3-1-1, 3-1-3)