Urban Legend: Two Defensive Visits During Same At-Bat
A pinch hitter enter the batter's box in a close game with runners on 1st and 3rd. The defensive coach calls time to go to the mound to make his first defensive visit of the game to talk strategy with his pitcher. After the count goes to 2-2 and the runner at 1st base has stolen 2nd base, the defensive coach wants to make another visit to the mound to talk strategy. Can the defensive coach make two defensive visits during the same batter?
Extra Credit Trick Question:
Same scenario as above, but the defense has already had three charged visits before the pinch hitter enters the batter's box. During the visit when the defense coach first saw the pinch hitter, the defense decides to changed pitchers (they were actually required to change pitchers since there had already been three charged defensive visits in the game).
Now, with a new pitcher, the count goes to 2-2 and the defensive coach visits the mound again...but we have a problem!
- Shouldn't the new pitcher now be removed -- since the defensive has used up its three "free" visits? (NF 3-4-1)
- However, doesn't a new pitcher have to finish pitching to at least one batter before he is removed? (NF 3-1-2)
The rules are in conflict -- what now?