DP vs. DH

 

 

DESIGNATED PLAYER (DP) RULE

 

DESIGNATED HITTER (DH) RULE

DP SITUATION 1:  In the fifth inning, Jones enters the game as the DP and is placed at the end of the batting order. 

RULING:  Illegal.  The DP must be announced prior to the start of the game with her name entered on the starting lineup.

DH SITUATION 1:  In the fifth inning, Jones enters the game as the DH and is placed at the end of the batting order. 

RULING:  Illegal.  The DH must be announced prior to the start of the game with her name entered on the starting lineup. (1-1-1, 3-1-5)

 

DP SITUATION 2:  DP-Jones hits a triple and sprains her ankle sliding into third base.  The coach has substitute-Green enter the game to be a pinch-runner for DP-Jones.  How does this affect the playing status of DP-Jones and the FLEX player, Smith for whom Jones is batting?  RULING:  When a pinch-runner or pinch hitter replaces the DP, that player becomes the new DP.  DP-Jones can re-enter later or the FLEX-Smith (the defensive player she was batting for) could bat in substitute-Green’s position later and it would be legal.

DH SITUATION 2:  DH-Jones hits a triple and sprains her ankle sliding into third base.  The coach has substitute-Green enter the game to be a pinch-runner for DH-Jones.  How does this affect the playing status of DH-Jones and the defensive player, Smith for whom Jones is batting?  RULING:  When a pinch-runner or pinch hitter replaces the DH, that player becomes the new DH.  DH-Jones can re-enter later or Smith (the defensive player she was batting for) could bat in substitute-Green’s position later and it would be legal.  If Smith bats for herself, this would terminate the DH’s position in the lineup for the remainder of the game.  (3-1-5)

 

DP SITUATION 3:  In the first inning the DP-Jones (listed in the fourth spot of the batting order) hits a double.  Substitute-Cooper replaces DP-Jones on second base.  In the fourth inning substitute-Green bats for Cooper and has a 1-1 count.  The coach elects to replace Green with the FLEX-Smith. 

RULING:  Legal.  The FLEX player must bat in the listed DP’s position regardless of the number of substitutions in that batting position.

 

DH SITUATION 3:  In the first inning the DH-Jones (listed in the fourth spot of the batting order) hits a double.  Substitute-Cooper replaces DH-Jones on second base.  In the fourth inning substitute-Green bats for Cooper and has a 1-1 count.  The coach elects to replace Green with Smith (the defensive player she was batting for). 

RULING:  Legal.  Smith must bat in the listed DH’s position regardless of the number of substitutions in that batting position.

DP SITUATION 4:  FLEX-Smith begins the game playing defense at second base.  In the fourth inning, without reporting, she bats in place of Jones, the starting DP. 

RULING:  Legal, it is not required for FLEX-Smith to report when batting in DP-Jones’s position.  However, when FLEX-Smith bats, this removes DP-Jones from the game and requires re-entry to return to the game.

 

DH SITUATION 4:  Smith begins the game playing defense at second base with Jones as her DH.  In the fourth inning, without reporting, Smith bats in place of Jones.

RULING:  Legal, it is not required for Smith to report when batting in DH-Jones’s position.  However, when Smith bats, this removes DH-Jones from the game and requires re-entry to return to the game.  It also terminates the DH’s position in the lineup for the remainder of the game.

DP SITUATION 5:  Team A is using 10 players in their lineup with the DP-Jones batting third.  FLEX-Smith is playing right field and is a very fast runner.  In the first, third, and sixth innings, DP-Jones gets on base and, in each case, the FLEX-Smith is put in to run.  Is this legal?  RULING:  It is legal for the defensive position player (FLEX) to do this since they never left the game.  However, it would be illegal for the starting DP-Jones to return to bat in the sixth inning.  This is a violation of the re-entry rule.

DH SITUATION 5:  Team A is using 10 players in their lineup with the DH-Jones batting third.  Smith is playing right field and is a very fast runner.  In the first, third, and sixth innings, DH-Jones gets on base and, in each case, Smith is put in to run.  Is this legal?  RULING: No.  It is legal for the defensive player, Smith to replace Jones in the 1st inning.  When Smith (who was previously playing defense only) comes in on offense, this terminates the role of the DH.  Jones can only re-enter if Smith leaves the game.  Each player is locked into the same position in the batting order and has one re-entry.  (3-1-3, 3-1-5)

 

DP SITUATION 6 (REVISED 3/21/03):  The FLEX-Smith enters the game to bat for F1, listed ninth and has a 1-1 count at discovery.  RULING:  Illegal substitution. Since the FLEX-Smith is at bat, she is declared out and disqualified. She must be replaced by a legal substitute.  The FLEX-Smith can only bat in the DP position. (3-1-4a1)

DH SITUATION 6:  Smith (the defensive player being DH’ed for) enters the game to bat for F1, listed ninth and has a 1-1 count at discovery. 

RULING:  Illegal batter, Smith can only bat in DH-Jones’s position in the lineup.  Since Smith is at bat, she is disqualified and replaced by a legal substitute who assumes the count. (3-1-3, 3-1-5)

 

DP SITUATION 7:  The DP-Jones bats fourth in the lineup.  In the third inning, the DP-Jones plays defense for F5 who bats sixth in the order.  In the fifth inning the FLEX-Smith who is listed 10th bats for F5.  RULING:  Illegal batter.  The defensive position player (FLEX) can only bat in the DP batting position.  The FLEX-Smith is disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute. (3-1-4)

DH SITUATION 7:  The DH-Jones bats fourth in the lineup.  In the third inning, the DH-Jones plays defense for F5 who bats sixth in the order.  In the fifth inning Smith (who is being DH’ed for) bats for F5.  RULING:  Illegal.  When the DH-Jones enters the game on defense, this terminates the role of the DH for the remainder of the game. Smith must leave the lineup, reducing it to nine players.  Jones could change defensive potions but must remain in the same batting order (fourth).  For Smith to re-enter the game, she must re-enter in the fourth spot of the batting order and Jones must leave.  (2-57-2c and d, 3-1-1, 3-1-3, 3-1-4, 3-1-5)

 

DP SITUATION 8:  DP-Jones is listed fourth in the batting order and is the runner on third base.  R2 is on second and R3 is at first base.  The FLEX-Smith enters the game replacing R3 as the runner at first base.   RULING:  Illegal runner.  The defensive position player (FLEX) can only run for the listed DP position.  The FLEX-Smith is disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute. (3-1-4)

DH SITUATION 8:  DH-Jones is listed fourth in the batting order and is the runner on third base.  R2 is on second and R3 is at first base.  Smith enters the game replacing R3 as the runner at first base.   RULING:  Illegal runner.  The defensive player Smith can only run for the listed DH position.  Smith is disqualified and replaced with a legal substitute. (2-57-2d, 3-1-4)

 

 

 

 

DP SITUATION 9:  DP-Jones is on first base and is replaced by substitute-Green.  Later in the game, starting DP-Jones re-enters as a batter and reaches first base safely.  Substitute-Cooper then replaces DP-Jones as a runner.  During extra innings, starting DP-Jones is at the plate with a 1-2 count when the situation is brought to the umpire’s attention. 

RULING:  Illegal re-entry, DP-Jones is disqualified and replaced by a legal substitute. (3-1-3)

 

DH SITUATION 9:  DH-Jones is on first base and is replaced by substitute-Green.  Later in the game, starting DH-Jones re-enters as a batter and reaches first base safely.  Substitute-Cooper then replaces DH-Jones as a runner.  During extra innings, starting DH-Jones is at the plate with a 1-2 count when the situation is brought to the umpire’s attention.  RULING:  Illegal re-entry, DH-Jones is disqualified and replaced by a legal substitute. (2-57-2a, 3-1-3)

DP SITUATION 10:  Team A has only ten players and is utilizing the DP rule option with the FLEX-Smith pitching and listed as the 10th player. DP-Jones is batting in the fifth spot in the batting order. In the fourth inning, the shortstop (number eight in the batting order) is injured and forced to leave the game. 

RULING:   DP-Jones may play shortstop or any defensive position at the same time as the FLEX-Smith.  The team is able to maintain nine players on defense, but may only bat eight (an out being recorded when the eighth spot comes to bat).   (3-1-7, 4-3-1f)

 

DH SITUATION 10:  Team A has only ten players and is utilizing the DH rule with Smith pitching.  DH-Jones is batting in the fifth spot in the batting order. In the fourth inning, the shortstop (number eight in the batting order) is injured and forced to leave the game. 

RULING:   Since the DH-Jones is locked into the fifth position in the batting order, she may not be moved to replace another player.  In addition, the DH and the player for whom she is batting may not play defense at the same time. In the fourth inning when the shortstop is forced to leave the game, the team must continue with nine players (Smith and Jones, being locked into the fifth spot) unless another eligible player becomes available.  The team will continue with eight players on offense and defense (with an out being recorded when the eighth spot comes to bat). (3-1-7, 4-3-1f)