pitchers hitting in the AL

BetterThanYou

ok, here's a question for you. a co-worker and i are having a discussion about designated hitters and pitchers in the american league, and it basically boils down to this: if a pitcher wants to hit, can he replace the designated hitters position in the lineup in an american league park? or is that impossible, seeing as the pitcher would be playing 2 positions at the same time (pitcher and DH)? i've tried looking through the mlb rulebook online, but i find it impossible to locate the answer i'm looking for (i was a horrible researcher when i was in school).

anyone have a definite answer? we both have guesses, but i'm curious as to what the actual answer is.

Solat13

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Designated_hitter

The designated hitter cannot be used for any other player but the pitcher (however, see below regarding different rules in amateur play). Use of the DH is optional. The manager must designate a DH prior to the start of the game; failure to do so forfeits the right to use the DH, and the pitcher must then take his turn at bat.

Wobbie

Does this answer your question? Seems like the pitcher can be the DH, basically by not using anyone else.

* The DH is optional. A team may decide to bat its pitcher and not use a designated hitter in a game where it would normally be used. A few instances were Ferguson Jenkins on October 2, 1974 for the Texas Rangers at Minnesota, Ken Brett for the Chicago White Sox on July 6, 1976 against the Boston Red Sox, and Brett again on September 23, 1976 for Chicago against the Twins. Rick Rhoden, a pitcher, was a DH on June 11, 1988 for the Yankees against the Orioles.

* The DH can play in the field, but once a manager decides to play him on defense, the pitcher immediately takes over the batting spot of the defensive player which the DH replaced (unless there are multiple substitutions, in which case the manager can decide where the pitcher will bat). The team then forfeits the use of the DH for the rest of the game. This happens a few times every season, and sometimes results in a pitcher being forced to bat in an AL game.

* The DH spot is locked in the order. If the DH bats, for example, fifth in the order, no substitution can be made to move him to fourth or sixth, or anywhere else.

igotid88

imalive wrote:

Does this answer your question? Seems like the pitcher can be the DH, basically by not using anyone else.

* The DH is optional. A team may decide to bat its pitcher and not use a designated hitter in a game where it would normally be used. A few instances were Ferguson Jenkins on October 2, 1974 for the Texas Rangers at Minnesota, Ken Brett for the Chicago White Sox on July 6, 1976 against the Boston Red Sox, and Brett again on September 23, 1976 for Chicago against the Twins. Rick Rhoden, a pitcher, was a DH on June 11, 1988 for the Yankees against the Orioles.

* The DH can play in the field, but once a manager decides to play him on defense, the pitcher immediately takes over the batting spot of the defensive player which the DH replaced (unless there are multiple substitutions, in which case the manager can decide where the pitcher will bat). The team then forfeits the use of the DH for the rest of the game. This happens a few times every season, and sometimes results in a pitcher being forced to bat in an AL game.

* The DH spot is locked in the order. If the DH bats, for example, fifth in the order, no substitution can be made to move him to fourth or sixth, or anywhere else.

I remember the Rick Rhoden game a little.