Baseball Instruction/pitching rules

Advertisement

Expert: - 10/26/2007


Question
WAS THERE EVER A TIME IN MLB THAT THE PITCHER HAD TO BE REPLACED IF HE DID NOT TAKE HIS TURN AT BAT?

Answer
Peggy,

This happens a number of times each season.  The starting pitcher doesn't last long enough to make it to their first at bat.  They may not bat until the third inning, depending on how many hits their teammates get.

Of course, in the American League the pitcher does not bat, so they always are removed before they take an at bat.

Hope this helps!

Brian

Baseball Instruction

All Answers

Answers by Expert:

Ask Experts

Volunteer

Brian Flaspohler

Expertise

Questions about baseball rules, general information about the game, statistical analysis, questions about players, questions about Baseball records. I am a member of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) and a lifelong baseball fanatic. Don't ask me questions about training - this is not my area of expertise.

Experience

Lifelong fan, article about player movement from team to team throughout history.

©2012 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company. All rights reserved.