pinch hit*ter
What is the definition of pinch hitter in baseball?
1. Pinch hitter is a term used to describe a substitute hitter in baseball and softball. This substitute batter may be selected from any player who has not yet entered the game.
The pinch hitter takes over the spot of the player that they replaced in the batting order, and that replaced player must now go to the bench and may not reenter the game. Pinch hitters are marked as “PH” in box scores.
What does a pinch hitter do?
A pinch hitter replaces a starting player in the lineup. In addition to batting, the pinch hitter typically takes the position on the field of the player they replaced.
Another option for the manager is to use a double switch. This is a double substitution in which a pitcher who is due to bat soon is replaced by a position player, followed by a player due to bat later being replaced by a relief pitcher. This allows for the batting order to be temporarily strengthened. This strategy was often used in the National League prior to the adoption of the designated hitter rule in 2022.
Why do they use pinch hitters in baseball?
Pinch hitters are strategically utilized in a critical moment of a game when the substitute player is thought to have a better chance of getting on base than the starting player. In some cases, pinch hitters are used in baseball to substitute for a pitcher who will likely be replaced in the next inning.
What are the rules for a pinch hitter?
Pinch hitters are substituted into the game for a starting player. They typically take over that player’s spot in the batting order and on the field.
Any player who has been substituted out of the batting order for a pinch hitter can no longer play in the game. There are exceptions to this in some high school leagues where starting players are permitted to reenter the game after being replaced with a pinch hitter.
Are pinch hitters allowed to bat for themselves?
Pinch hitters take over the spot in the batting order of the player they replaced. They continue to bat for the remainder of the game unless they are replaced by another substitute player.
Can a pinch hitter bat twice in the same inning?
A pinch hitter can bat twice in a single inning if the team bats around, meaning that each of the nine players in the batting order has made a plate appearance. In that case, the pinch hitter would have a second at-bat in the inning. However, only the first at-bat is considered a pinch-hitting appearance.
Can you put in a pinch hitter in the middle of an at-bat?
A batter can be substituted out of the game and replaced by a pinch hitter during an at-bat as long as the ball is dead at the time of the substitution.
One situation where this might occur is if the opposing team changes their pitcher in response to the original pinch hitter announcement, after which the batting team may decide to call in a new pinch hitter. At that point, the first pinch hitter may not be used again during that game.
Do pinch hitters have to field?
Pinch hitters replace another player in the lineup, which means they assume their place on the field as well as in the batting order. Although it doesn’t happen often at the professional level, coaches are permitted to move players into different positions upon the introduction of a pinch hitter. For example, a pinch hitter could replace the second baseman in the lineup, but the coach could decide to have them play third base on the field and move the current third baseman to second.
One exception occurs if a pinch hitter is used for a designated hitter (DH). In this case, they take over for the DH and are not used on the field.
Can a pitcher be a pinch hitter?
A pitcher can be a pinch hitter. This type of substitution can be made to bring out a pitcher who is fatigued and replace them with a relief pitcher.
Since MLB’s universal adoption of the designated hitter rule across both the American League and National League, these types of substitutions are no longer common at the professional level.
Can a pinch hitter have a pinch runner?
A pinch hitter can be replaced by a pinch runner once they are on base. After this substitution, the pinch hitter may not reenter the game.
What is an important rule for pinch hitters?
Coaches are typically required to inform the umpire before making a change to their lineup. This includes pinch hitters, pinch runners, defensive substitutes and relief pitchers.
What is the difference between a pinch hitter and a DH?
A pinch hitter replaces a player who is currently in the lineup. A designated hitter is in the starting lineup, but does not play a defensive position on the field.
The Major League Baseball (MLB) designated hitter rule was introduced in the American League in 1973 and in the National League in 2022. This rule permits teams to exclude pitchers from the batting order and use a DH instead. Prior to the adoption of the rule, pitchers in each league were required to bat.
What are the benefits of having a DH?
Designated hitters benefit baseball teams by allowing pitchers to focus on their specialty and reserve their energy for pitching. Most pitchers usually have relatively low batting averages, so the designated hitter rule allows teams to leave them out of the batting order and instead include a player with superior offensive skills. The DH rule also helps to add speed and excitement to the game since pitchers may strike out or bunt while designated hitters are more likely to hit homers.
What is the difference between a pinch hitter and a pinch runner?
A pinch runner takes over the baserunning responsibilities for a player once they reach first base. This type of substitution is used to improve a team’s chances of scoring. Pinch runners are selected for this role based on their running speed and their base stealing skills.
Pinch hitters and pinch runners are similar in that they are both types of baseball player substitutions. Pinch hitters are substituted into the game just prior to the replaced player’s turn in the batting order, while pinch runners are substituted into the game just after a player has gotten on base after an at-bat.
Do pinch runners stay in the game?
Pinch runners stay in the game and take over the position of the player they replaced. In subsequent innings, the pinch runner will bat in that player’s spot in the batting order and play in their position on the field. The player who the pinch runner replaced is not permitted to reenter the game.
How many pinch hitters are allowed in MLB?
There are no restrictions on the number of pinch hitters that MLB teams may use. However, the size of a team’s roster ultimately limits the potential number of pinch hitters since the players who are substituted out may not reenter the game at any point.
If a manager repeatedly calls for new pinch hitters as a means of delaying the game, particularly during a single at-bat, they risk being ejected from the game by the umpire.
When was the first time a pinch hitter was used?
New York Giants pitcher Mickey Welch became the first pinch hitter in major league history on August 10, 1889. He batted for teammate Hank O’Day, who was likely injured during the game since non-injury substitutions weren’t permitted until 1892.
Prior to the use of pinch hitters, substitutes were uncommon in baseball. Rosters did not have include many backup players, and most substitutions were made due to injuries.
Who was the first pinch hitter?
The first pinch hitter substituted into a game after non-injury substitutions were first allowed was Cleveland Spiders first baseman Jack Doyle on June 7, 1892. Many consider him to be the first true pinch hitter since he was substituted in for a reason other than an injury. In that matchup against the Brooklyn Grooms, Doyle’s entrance into the game as a pinch hitter resulted in a game-winning single.
Who are the best pinch hitters of all time?
Some players have gained a reputation for being particularly adept at coming into the game off the bench and getting on base for their team. Lenny Harris is widely recognized as the best pinch hitter in the history of Major League Baseball. During his 18-year career, he played as an outfielder, third baseman and second baseman for eight different teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and Florida Marlins. Harris holds the MLB record for the most career pinch hits with a total of 212, which 37 more hits than any other pinch hitter.
The baseball players with the most pinch hits in MLB history include:
- Lenny Harris: 212
- Mark Sweeney: 175
- Manny Mota: 150
- Smoky Burgess: 145
- Greg Gross: 143
- Dave Hansen: 138
- John Vander Wal: 129
- José Morales: 123
- Orlando Palmeiro: 120
- Jerry Lynch: 116
Who has the most pinch hit home runs in MLB history?
Matt Stairs hold the all-time record for the most pinch hit home runs with a total of 23 over the course of his career.
The record for the most pinch hit grand slams in a career is a tie between three players, each of whom had three pinch hit grand slams: Willie McCovey, Ron Northey and Rich Reese.
Single-season pinch hit records
According to the Baseball Almanac, the following are some of the single-season pinch hit records as of May 2023.
Most pinch hit games
Ichiro Suzuki set a new record with 109 pinch hit games in 2017. He also set the records for the most pinch hit plate appearances (109) and most pinch hit at-bats (100) in that same season.
Most pinch hits
John Vander Wal had 28 pinch hits in 1995, more than any other player in a single MLB season.
Most pinch hit home runs
Craig Wilson (2001) and Dave Hansen (2000) both hold the record for the most pinch hit home runs in a single season with seven each.
Most pinch hit RBIs
The record for the most runs batted in (RBIs) by a pinch hitter in a single season is a tie between three players with 25 each: Joe Cronin (1943), Jerry Lynch (1961) and Rusty Staub (1983).
Why do they call it a pinch hitter?
The term “pinch hitter” came about because these substitute players are called on to enter the game “in a pinch,” meaning at a critical moment.
What is another word for pinch hitter?
Another way to describe a pinch hitter is to call them a substitute, replacement, alternate or backup player. However, it’s important to remember that these terms can also be used to describe a relief pitcher, defensive substitution or pinch runner.
What does pinch hitter mean in slang?
The term “pinch hitter” is sometimes used colloquially in American English to refer to a person who fills in for someone in a critical moment. For example: “Sharon was out sick, so the boss asked her colleague Kyle to be a pinch hitter for the big client presentation.”
Example of how pinch hitter is used in commentary
1. The skipper looks to go to his bench and use Matt Stairs as the pinch hitter to go up against the Atlanta Braves’ relief pitcher.
Sports the term is used
1. Baseball
2. Softball
Abbreviated as
1. PH