Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/5/2006

Question
My son and I were listening to some of the baseball games on the radio and we had questions about the designated hitter and runner positions.  

Can a designated hitter come in for any player or just a pitcher?  

Can the designated runner run for more than one person in a game?

Thanks.
Sandra

Answer
Sandra,

The designated hitter may only hit in place of the pitcher.  And, if the DH is removed from the game and someone else is put in that batting spot and plays a position, then the DH spot is lost and the pitcher must bat the remainder of the game.

A designated runner may only run for one person in the game.  After any player is removed from a game (no matter what the position or how they appeared), they may not come back into the same game.

Hope this helps!

Brian