Putting DH in to Pitch

[noragar]

My DH is kind of a 2-way player, and I wanted to have him pitch the 9th inning of a blowout to save the bullpen, but I couldn't figure out how to do so.

From the lineup screen, I couldn't drag/drop him from either the lineup or the bench into the pitcher's spot. I could change his position from DH to any other position except pitcher. I finally tried the 'Remove Designated Hitter' button, but that places the old pitcher into the DH's spot in the lineup, and I still couldn't find a way to have the DH pitch.

I checked the manual, but couldn't find it addressed there. Does anyone know whether this is possible?

[Charlie Hough]

I'm not sure if it's possible to have a DH switch to pitcher in OOTP. It's legal in real life, but if OOTP is trying to enforce the real life rules, which state that you can't do a double-switch, it might be thinking that your attempt to drag the DH into the pitcher's spot is an attempt to also move the DH to the pitcher's spot in the batting lineup. But even if it's enforcing that, if it's programmed to allow the real life options with your DH, you should be able to change the DH's position to pitcher while keeping him in the same lineup spot. But maybe it's not programmed to allow that either. My guess is that OOTP doesn't allow you to let the DH pitch, and if that's the case, it should be corrected in the next version.

[RchW]

I don't think this can happen by rule.

These explanations are not crystal clear but never say it can happen.

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)

http://m.mlb.com/glossary/rules/designated-hitter-rule

Glossary / Rules / Designated Hitter Rule
Designated Hitter Rule
Definition
The designated hitter rule allows teams to use another player to bat in place of the pitcher. Because the pitcher is still part of the team's nine defensive players, the designated hitter -- or "DH" -- does not take the field on defense.

The rule was adopted by the American League in 1973, while pitchers have continued to hit in games played at National League parks. That will change in 2020, with MLB instituting a universal DH for one season as part of its health and safety protocols during the COVID-19 pandemic. It's possible the NL could revert to its traditional rules in 2021.

The DH must be selected prior to the game, and that selected hitter must come to bat at least one time -- unless the opposing team changes pitchers prior to that point. A team that chooses not to select a DH prior to a game is barred from using a DH for the rest of that game. A player who enters the game in place of the DH -- either as a pinch-hitter or a pinch-runner -- becomes the DH in his team's lineup thereafter.

If a player serving as the DH is later used on defense, he continues to bat in his same lineup spot. But for the rest of the game, his team cannot use a DH to bat in place of the pitcher. A team is also barred from using a DH for the rest of the game if the pitcher moves from the mound to another defensive position, a player pinch-hits for any other player and then becomes the pitcher, or the current pitcher pinch-hits or pinch-runs for the DH.

History of the rule
The designated hitter rule was adopted by the AL in 1973. Prior to 2020, pitchers were required to bat in all NL games and Interleague games in which the NL team was the designated home team.

The DH was not used in the World Series from 1973-75, then was used by both World Series teams during even-numbered years from '76-85. The practice of playing each game by the rules of the designated home team's league began in the 1986 World Series.

Further inquiries return.

Can you pitch and DH in the same game?
1 Answer. NO. 2 It is not mandatory that a club designate a hitter for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a Designated Hitter for that club for that game. ... Specifically 12 would be the clearest case, the DH cannot appear on defense, which is the primary role of the pitcher.

Can a pitcher also be a designated hitter? - Sports Stack Exchangesports.stackexchange.com › questions › can-a-pitcher-also...

[sdw1000]

Depends which era you're using. I am using the 1918 Red Sox and Babe Ruth pitches then plays left when he's not.

[BIG17EASY]

I think RchW is right about MLB rules. However, I'm certain that this is allowed at the NCAA level.

I wonder if a workaround would be to move the DH to a position in the field, then put another bench player in to pitch, then try to change the positions so the original DH goes to P and the bench player who was inserted at P goes to whatever position the DH had temporarily been placed at. My gut tells me that won't work, but it might be worth a try.

[joefromchicago]

I don't see anything in the official MLB rules that would prevent a DH from taking the mound and being a relief pitcher. Once he does so, the team loses the DH option, but that's the only penalty that I can find in the rules for this kind of switch.

I don't know if OOTP lets you do that. I don't like the DH rule, so I rarely play with it enabled.

[Meeko]

You absolutely can put your DH into pitch in relief. Its been done several times. Look at the famous Chris Davis pitching win, both "pitchers" in the decision started the game as DH.

How it works in OOTP though, not sure. May have to put him in the field and burn a bench player on a double switch.

[wutinthehail]

I know for a fact that it can be done in the minor leagues (in real life) so it probably can be done in the majors as well. I used to work for a Colorado Rockie minor league affiliate.

[bwburke94]

This isn't possible in OOTP 21; previous versions allowed it, but the removal of DH-to-null had the unintended effect of preventing DH-to-P (or field-to-P).

[ThatSeventiesGuy]

Originally Posted by bwburke94

This isn't possible in OOTP 21; previous versions allowed it, but the removal of DH-to-null had the unintended effect of preventing DH-to-P (or field-to-P).

I was wondering about that. One of the teams in my fictional league in OOTP20 had a pitcher they used as a DH on his days off. He was actually pretty good, .300+ hitter with some power, but never really got enough at-bats to make a huge impact.

[noragar]

Originally Posted by bwburke94

This isn't possible in OOTP 21; previous versions allowed it, but the removal of DH-to-null had the unintended effect of preventing DH-to-P (or field-to-P).

Please define 'DH-to-null'. I don't usually use the DH, except in interleague games, so I don't know what this is referring to or what problems it was implemented to correct.

Also, when you say '(or field-to-P)' does this mean that you can no longer move any player who's already in the field in to pitch, even in non-DH games? That would really limit the options/value of two way players.

[darkcloud4579]

Just like real life, you'd just need to move your DH into the field, which loses you your DH and then at the next half-inning you can install the DH as pitcher and replace his field position with someone else. I just did it in OOTP.

[bwburke94]

Originally Posted by noragar

Please define 'DH-to-null'. I don't usually use the DH, except in interleague games, so I don't know what this is referring to or what problems it was implemented to correct.

Also, when you say '(or field-to-P)' does this mean that you can no longer move any player who's already in the field in to pitch, even in non-DH games? That would really limit the options/value of two way players.

Prior to OOTP 21, the DH could be moved to a null position, which some people used as a way to get the DH to pitch.

In OOTP 21, if the lineup currently has a DH, there is no way to keep the same nine batters in the lineup while moving one of them to the mound. (In a no-DH lineup, field-to-P is still possible.)