Pitching Obligations


Last week, I started a lively debate about when a player becomes the “pitcher of record”. Now that we have that debate settled, the next question is:  How long must a player stay as the pitcher before he can be replaced again?

That mystery is unlocked in the following questions:

1. During pre-game warm-ups (or when a replacement pitcher is taking his 8 warm-up pitches), the pitcher complains that his arm is sore and he cannot pitch. Must he pitch to at least one batter?

Call
He need not pitch to one batter, if injured. If removed for injury without pitching to a batter, he may re-enter the game, but not as a pitcher: 3-1-2.


2. A replacement pitcher enters the game with two outs and runner on first. After the plate umpire makes the ball live, the new pitcher picks off the runner at first without throwing a pitch and the side is retired. Must the pitcher return the next inning to face a batter?

Call
2. No, if the side is retired, he does not have to return to pitch to a batter the next inning: 3-1-2.


3. Two outs and runners on 2nd and 3rd. The starting pitcher is removed and the replacement pitcher starts to throw his warm-up throws.  His 8 warm-up pitches are all wild and the coach has reconsidered and wants a different replacement pitcher. The plate umpire does not allow the replacement pitcher to enter until the first replacement faces one batter. So now the defensive coach orders an intentional walk (without throwing a pitch) to load the bases. After the intentional walk, can a new replacement pitcher now enter?

Call
3. Yes, NF 3-1-2 is satisfied by the intentional walk.