Question on double switch?

Katrina · 03-19-2003, 06:47 AM

In my continued quest to understand baseball better, I've read about the double switch a few times and I don't quite understand it. Would someone be kind enough to explain it to me, thanks

Ben E Lou · 03-19-2003, 07:04 AM

An example:

The Braves are in the field, clinging to a one-run lead in the top of the eighth. Maddux is getting tired. There are two outs in the inning. Maddux walks a guy to load the bases. Bobby Cox goes to the mound, and Javy says that Maddux is spent. Bobby looks at the lineup card, and sees that the #8 spot in the batting order (Marcus Giles) is due to hit first in the bottom of the eighth. Here's the entire order:

1. Rafael Furcal
2. Andruw Jones
3. Chipper Jones
4. Gary Sheffield
5. Robert Fick
6. Javy Lopez
7. Vinny Castilla
8. Marcus Giles
9. Greg Maddux

Cox wants to use Smoltz in this situation, but he wants more of a chance for an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, so he inserts Matt Franco at first base for Robert Fick at the same time he brings in Smoltz for Maddux. He lets the umpire know that Smoltz will bat fifth (Fick's spot), and Franco will bat ninth (Maddux's spot). The new order becomes:

1. Rafael Furcal
2. Andruw Jones
3. Chipper Jones
4. Gary Sheffield
5. John Smoltz
6. Javy Lopez
7. Vinny Castilla
8. Marcus Giles
9. Matt Franco

So, now in the bottom of the eighth, rather than Giles-Smoltz-Furcal, you have Giles-Franco-Furcal, and much more of a chance for an insurance run.

Sweed · 03-19-2003, 08:27 AM

An addition to Skydog's excellent description. If the game is tied in his example above it allows your good reliever to stay in and pitch another inning instead of having to PH for him in the bottom of the inning.

Lot's of strategy goes into the double switch. IMHO that's why National League ball is better than American League ala NO DH.
It's the way baseball was intended to be played 9 players bat and the same 9 players play the field.

Ben E Lou · 03-19-2003, 09:05 AM

I left off an important point in the strategy of my post that probably goes without saying, but here it is: the double-switch in this situation means that you don't have to pinch-hit for Smoltz in the bottom of the 8th. He can finish things out in the ninth.

sporr · 03-19-2003, 11:25 AM

Unless of course you bat around to his spot in the order....but then you probably wouldn't need him anyway....

Ben E Lou · 03-19-2003, 11:57 AM

If you get all the way to the #5 spot in that scenario, at worst you've got Smoltzie coming up with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, and the bases loaded, which would make for an interesting decision.

03-19-2003, 06:47 AM	#1
Katrina Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: California Posts: 221	Question on double switch? In my continued quest to understand baseball better, I've read about the double switch a few times and I don't quite understand it. Would someone be kind enough to explain it to me, thanks __________________ OOTP5 Beta Tester OOL Rockford Peaches Anaheim Angels Fan MSN-girlprincess1@cox.net

03-19-2003, 07:04 AM	#2
Ben E Lou Front Office Football Central Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Souf Cackilacky Posts: 1,762	An example: The Braves are in the field, clinging to a one-run lead in the top of the eighth. Maddux is getting tired. There are two outs in the inning. Maddux walks a guy to load the bases. Bobby Cox goes to the mound, and Javy says that Maddux is spent. Bobby looks at the lineup card, and sees that the #8 spot in the batting order (Marcus Giles) is due to hit first in the bottom of the eighth. Here's the entire order: 1. Rafael Furcal 2. Andruw Jones 3. Chipper Jones 4. Gary Sheffield 5. Robert Fick 6. Javy Lopez 7. Vinny Castilla 8. Marcus Giles 9. Greg Maddux Cox wants to use Smoltz in this situation, but he wants more of a chance for an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, so he inserts Matt Franco at first base for Robert Fick at the same time he brings in Smoltz for Maddux. He lets the umpire know that Smoltz will bat fifth (Fick's spot), and Franco will bat ninth (Maddux's spot). The new order becomes: 1. Rafael Furcal 2. Andruw Jones 3. Chipper Jones 4. Gary Sheffield 5. John Smoltz 6. Javy Lopez 7. Vinny Castilla 8. Marcus Giles 9. Matt Franco So, now in the bottom of the eighth, rather than Giles-Smoltz-Furcal, you have Giles-Franco-Furcal, and much more of a chance for an insurance run.

03-19-2003, 09:05 AM	#4
Ben E Lou Front Office Football Central Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Souf Cackilacky Posts: 1,762	I left off an important point in the strategy of my post that probably goes without saying, but here it is: the double-switch in this situation means that you don't have to pinch-hit for Smoltz in the bottom of the 8th. He can finish things out in the ninth.

03-19-2003, 11:25 AM	#5
sporr Global Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Muscatine, IA Posts: 8,277	Unless of course you bat around to his spot in the order....but then you probably wouldn't need him anyway....

03-19-2003, 11:57 AM	#6
Ben E Lou Front Office Football Central Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Souf Cackilacky Posts: 1,762	If you get all the way to the #5 spot in that scenario, at worst you've got Smoltzie coming up with two outs in the bottom of the eighth, and the bases loaded, which would make for an interesting decision.