GUIDE TO THE DH RULE

T h e h i g h s c h o o l d e s i g n a t e d h i t t e r ( D H ) r u l e c h a n g e d f o r t h e 2 0 2 0 s e a s o n , a d d i n g a n e w f l e x i b i l i t y f o r t e a m s , b u t a d d i n g a l a y e r o f c o m p l e x i t y f o r u m p i r e s c h a r g e d w i t h e n s u r i n g t h e r u l e s a r e f o l l o w e d , e s p e c i a l l y s u b s t i t u t i o n r u l e s r e l a t e d t o t h e D H .

W h e n t e a m s s u b m i t t h e i r l i n e u p c a r d s a t t h e p r e g a m e p l a t e m e e t i n g , t e a m s n o w h a v e t h r e e o p t i o n s u n d e r N F H S r u l e 3 - 1 - 4 :

1 . " S t r a i g h t N i n e " 2 . " T r a d i t i o n a l " D H 3 . P l a y e r / D H T h i s g u i d e e x p l o r e s t h o s e t h r e e o p t i o n s a n d b r e a k s d o w n

w h a t t e a m s c a n a n d c a n n o t d o r e l a t e d t o t h e D H .

"STRAIGHT NINE" T e a m s a r e n ' t r e q u i r e d t o u s e a D H . W h e n a t e a m s u b m i t s a

l i n e u p c a r d w i t h o u t a D H , i t ' s o f t e n c a l l e d a " s t r a i g h t n i n e " s i n c e t h e r e a r e o n l y n i n e s t a r t i n g p l a y e r s r e f l e c t e d i n t h e l i n e u p , a l l p l a y i n g a d e f e n s i v e p o s i t i o n a n d b a t t i n g i n o n e o f t h e n i n e s p o t s i n t h e o r d e r .

I f a t e a m s t a r t s w i t h a " s t r a i g h t n i n e " l i n e u p , l a t e r i n t h e g a m e c a n t h e y d e c i d e t o a d d a D H ?

N o . R u l e 3 - 1 - 4 e x p l i c i t l y s t a t e s t h a t a t e a m f o r f e i t s t h e u s e o f t h e

D H i f i t f a i l s t o d e c l a r e a D H p r i o r t o t h e g a m e . D u r i n g t h e p r e g a m e p l a t e m e e t i n g w i t h c o a c h e s , i t ' s a l w a y s

g o o d t o c o n f i r m t h a t t h e t e a m w o n ' t b e u s i n g t h e D H a n d t h a t e v e r y t h i n g i s a c c u r a t e o n t h e l i n e u p c a r d . B e f o r e t h e l i n e u p c a r d s h a v e b e e n a c c e p t e d a n d m a d e o f f i c i a l i s t h e l a s t o p p o r t u n i t y t o c o r r e c t s o m e t h i n g , s u c h a s w h e t h e r a t e a m h a d i n t e n d e d t o u s e a D H .

"TRADITIONAL" DH T h e " t r a d i t i o n a l " h i g h s c h o o l D H r u l e p r o v i d e s a g r e a t d e a l

o f f l e x i b i l i t y c o m p a r e d t o t h e D H a t t h e c o l l e g e a n d p r o l e v e l s , w h e r e t h e D H m a y o n l y b a t f o r t h e p i t c h e r .

H I G H SCHOOL BASEBALL: GUIDE TO THE OH RULE

H e r e a r e t h e h i g h l i g h t s : • T h e u s e o f a " t r a d i t i o n a l " D H m u s t b e d e c l a r e d p r i o r t o t h e

s t a r t o f t h e g a m e . • A D H m a y b e d e s i g n a t e d f o r a n y o n e s t a r t i n g p l a y e r , n o t j u s t t h e

p i t c h e r . • W i t h a " t r a d i t i o n a l " D H , a t e a m e f f e c t i v e l y h a s 1 0 s t a r t e r s , e a c h

o f w h o m h a s o n e - t i m e r e - e n t r y r i g h t s u n d e r s u b s t i t u t i o n r u l e 3 - 1 - 3 . • B o t h t h e D H a n d t h e p l a y e r f o r w h o m t h e D H i s b a t t i n g m a y

i n d e p e n d e n t l y h a v e s u b s t i t u t e s . • T h e D H a n d t h e p l a y e r f o r w h o m h e i s b a t t i n g a r e l o c k e d

i n t o t h a t s p o t i n t h e b a t t i n g o r d e r . A l s o , t h e s t a r t i n g D H ( a n d a n y s u b s t i t u t e s ) a n d t h e p l a y e r f o r w h o m t h e D H i s b a t t i n g ( a n d a n y s u b s t i t u t e s ) c a n n e v e r b e i n t h e g a m e d e f e n s i v e l y a t t h e s a m e t i m e .

• T h e D H r o l e i s t e r m i n a t e d f o r t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e g a m e w h e n t h e d e f e n s i v e p l a y e r ( o r a n y p r e v i o u s d e f e n s i v e p l a y e r ) f o r w h o m t h e D H b a t t e d p i n c h - h i t s o r p i n c h - r u n s f o r t h e D H o r w h e n t h e D H o r a n y p r e v i o u s D H a s s u m e s a d e f e n s i v e p o s i t i o n .

C a n t h e " t r a d i t i o n a l " D H p o s i t i o n h a v e a s u b s t i t u t e ? Y e s . J u s t l i k e a n y o t h e r p o s i t i o n i n t h e l i n e u p , b o t h t h e D H a n d t h e

p e r s o n f o r w h o m t h e D H i s h i t t i n g a r e s t a r t e r s , c a n h a v e s u b s t i t u t e s a n d m a y a l s o r e - e n t e r t h e g a m e o n e t i m e . A n y s u b s t i t u t i o n s , h o w e v e r , c a n n o t a l t e r t h e b a t t i n g o r d e r .

C a n t h e " t r a d i t i o n a l " D H p l a y a d e f e n s i v e p o s i t i o n a n d r e m a i n t h e D H ?

N o . O n c e t h e " t r a d i t i o n a l " D H e n t e r s t h e g a m e d e f e n s i v e l y , t h e

D H p o s i t i o n i s e l i m i n a t e d . T h a t p l a y e r t h e n b e c o m e s t h e p e r s o n o c c u p y i n g t h a t s p o t i n t h e l i n e u p b o t h d e f e n s i v e l y a n d o f f e n s i v e l y . ( S e e t h e n e w p l a y e r / D H o p t i o n f o r a w a y t h e D H c a n o c c u p y b o t h t h e d e f e n s i v e p o s i t i o n a n d D H s p o t . )

C a n t h e p l a y e r w h o h a s t h e D H h i t t i n g f o r h i m e n t e r t h e g a m e i n a n o t h e r p o s i t i o n i n t h e b a t t i n g o r d e r ?

N o . A D H a n d t h e p l a y e r f o r w h o m h e i s b a t t i n g a r e l o c k e d i n t o

t h e b a t t i n g o r d e r . T h a t p l a y e r c a n e n t e r t h e g a m e o f f e n s i v e l y , b u t o n l y i n t h e s p o t t h e D H w a s o c c u p y i n g . W h e n t h a t o c c u r s , t h e D H p o s i t i o n i s t e r m i n a t e d f o r t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e g a m e .

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL- GUIDE TO THE DH RULE

G U I D E T O T H E DH R U L E

Can the player for whom the DH is batting for pinch-run for the DH without impacting the DH position?

No. If the defensive player for whom the DH is batting bats, pinch-

hits or pinch-runs for the DH, the DH position is terminated for the remainder of the game. However, another eligible substitute may replace the DH while at-bat or on the bases, and that substitute would become the new DH.

After the DH position has been eliminated, is there still a way the original DH can legally have another at-bat?

Yes. Under the "traditional" DH rule, that scenario is possible due to re­

entry rights. However, in that circumstance, the player is no longer considered a DH — the player enters as a straight substitute. This circumstance is probably the most complicated legal substitution scenario that can occur with a "traditional" DH.

Let's walk through how this might play out: Irwin is the DH, batting for Baker in the No. 2 spot. Baker is playing first base. For the first three innings, Irwin bats while Baker plays defensively. In the fourth inning, the coach decides to have Baker bat for himself. That terminates the DH position for the remainder of the game. Baker now is batting and playing defensively in the No. 2 spot in the lineup and Irwin is out of the game. In the fifth inning, the coach puts in Irwin to bat again. This is legal because Irwin, as a starter, can re-enter the game one time (and it must be in the same position in the batting order). But he re-enters as a substitute for Baker and not as a DH. In the sixth inning, the coach puts Baker back in the game — also legal because Baker also has re-entry rights as a starter. (At that point, Irwin cannot re-enter the game because he has used up his re-entry rights.) If Baker is later removed from the game, he cannot return.

If a team started with a "traditional" DH, can they later switch to a player/DH, or vice versa?

No. Once they start the game with a particular DH option, they

cannot change to the other type of DH.

0 HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL'- EUIOE TO THE OH RULE

Can a courtesy runner run for the DH? No. Since the DH is neither the pitcher nor the catcher, the DH is not

eligible for a courtesy runner. Through substitution, however, the DH may have a pinch-runner without terminating the DH position.

PLAYER/DH This DH option is the new rules wrinkle added for the 2020

season. A player starts the game as both the defensive player and the DH.

Here are some highlights: • A player/DH may be any of the nine starting players. • The defensive role may be substituted by any legal substitute,

but only the starting player/DH can ever occupy the DH role. • If another player substitutes into the defensive role, the original

player/DH may re-enter defensively one time and retain the player/DH status. That counts as the starter's re-entry.

• The player/DH and any substitutes in the defensive role are locked in that spot in the batting order. Also, the starting player/ DH and any substitutes can never be in the game defensively at the same time.

• The DH role is terminated for the remainder of the game if a substitute (including a player already in the defensive role) pinch-hits or pinch-runs for the player/DH.

Does the player/DH have to be the pitcher? No. Although pitch-count limits may have factored into the desire to

have a player/DH option (and thus have another option to keep a hitter in the game after he has been removed from the mound), any player in any position can start as a player/DH.

Can someone substitute for the starting player/DH as a substitute player/DH?

No. A substitute can only enter the defensive role. If a substitute ever

hits or runs, the role of the DH is terminated for the remainder of the game. Only the starting player/DH can occupy the DH role.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL'- GUIDE TO THE OH RULE

G U I D E TO T H E DH R U L E Can multiple eligible substitutes substitute in the defensive

role without impacting the DH role? Yes. Multiple legal substitutions in the defensive role are permitted

and do not impact the DH role. Can someone substitute for the player/DH as a hitter or

runner without impacting the DH role? No. If someone substitutes for the starting player/DH as a hitter or

runner, the role of the DH is terminated for the remainder of the game. No one else can bat for a player/DH without terminating the DH for the remainder of the game.

When a player/DH has a substitute in the defensive role and later returns in the defensive role, does that count as the player/DH's re-entry for purposes of re-entry rights?

Yes. If the player/DH has another player assume the defensive

role, the player/DH can re-enter the defensive role once. Doing so effectively counts as a re-entry. In that case, if that starter is substituted for later, that starter cannot then re-enter.

Say, for example, that Davis starts as the 1B/DH in the No. 4 spot in the lineup. In the second inning, Jackson takes the defensive role; Davis continues as the DH. In the third inning, Davis re-enters at first base. Jackson, as a substitute, does not have re-entry rights and is done for the game. Another substitute could take the defensive role and shift Davis back to the DH role only. If that substitute or another substitute pinch-hits or pinch-runs, not only is the DH role terminated, but Davis has already used his re-entry rights and cannot come back into the game in any capacity.

In the second inning, another player bats for the starting player/DH, thus ending the DH role. Is it still possible for the starting player/DH to re-enter?

Yes. Provided the starting player/DH has not had a substitute in the

defensive role and then returned to the defensive role, he still has re-entry rights. But once someone bats for the starting player/

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL'- GUIDE TO THE OH RULE

DH, the DH role is terminated for the remainder of the game - so the re-entry would be a standard re-entry.

Say, for example, that Davis starts as the 1B/DH in the No. 4 spot in the lineup. In the second inning, Jackson takes the defensive role; Davis continues as the DH. In the sixth inning of a tied game, Davis gets a double. The coach decides to have the speedier Jackson pinch-run for Davis. That terminates the DH role for the remainder of the game. As a starter, Davis still has re-entry rights. But if he does so, he re-enters as a standard player (on defense and batting in the No. 4 spot).

What if a player/DH is replaced because of injury — can that substitute continue as the player/DH?

No. If an eligible substitute replaces the player/DH as a pinch-

runner (or pinch-hitter), the role of the DH is terminated and the player/DH is removed from the game. An injury does not create an exception.

Is it ever possible for the starting player/DH and a substitute in the defensive role to play defensively at the same time?

No. When another player assumes the defensive role, the starting

player/DH becomes the DH only. While the starting player/ DH can return once to the defensive role, if a substitute in the defensive role ever pinch-hits or pinch-runs, the role of the DH is terminated for the remainder of the game.

Under the player/DH rule, can anyone else ever become the DH?

No. Only the starting player/DH can be the DH. Any offensive

substitutions terminate the DH role for the remainder of the game. Can a player/DH who starts as the pitcher, and is replaced

as the pitcher in the third inning, return to pitch in the fourth inning.

Yes. Unlike some pitcher/DH rules variations that exist in some

states, the NFHS player/DH does not restrict a player from returning to pitch provided all other pitching rules are met.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL'- GUIDE TO THE OH RULE

G U I D E TO T H E DH R U L E

Can a catcher or pitcher who is the player/DH have a courtesy runner?

No. While not specifically addressed in the 2020 rulebook and

casebook, the NFHS has indicated a player/DH may not have a courtesy runner. While on offense, the player/DH is considered to be in the DH role and thus isn't eligible for a courtesy runner.

PENALTIES Preventive officiating can help avoid illegal substitutions related

to the DH. There's nothing wrong with flagging an issue before the illegal substitution is accepted. But sometimes the illegal change doesn't get noticed until well after it has occurred, leaving the umpire to sort out the proper penalties.

An illegal substitute is defined under NFHS rule 2-36-3 as a player who enters or re-enters the game without eligibility to do so; a player who re-enters the game in the wrong position in the batting order; a player who enters the game on defense while the player for whom he is batting is also on defense; when a player for whom the DH is batting enters the game as a batter or runner in a different position in the batting order; or a player who violates the courtesy runner rule.

NFHS rule 3-1-1 sorts out the penalties for an illegal substitution. A player who is discovered to be an illegal substitute on offense is called out and restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. If an illegal offensive substitute is discovered after a play that scores a run, advances or allows another runner to advance but before a pitch to the next batter, the play is nullified. Any outs made on the play stand and other runner(s) are returned to the base occupied at the time of the pitch. The penalty for an illegal substitution supersedes the penalty for batting out of order.

If discovered on defense, the illegal player is immediately removed and restricted to the dugout for the remainder of the game. If the illegal player is involved in a play and the infraction is discovered before the first pitch to the next batter, the team on offense has the option to let the play stand or to allow the batter to bat again.

In all cases, the illegal substitute is removed from the game.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: EUIOE TO THE OH RULE

OFFICIAL LINE-UP BASEBALL

DATE A \ Q V 7 20 TEAM Union Eaqles NO P L A Y E R | » ' POS.

n i l ?w 7

I *} Baker . , | _ 1

12 1 SUB.

± \ - B m e h -< •va JafM^on •

« JLlEdwords b sue.

17 i J FroM.n 2 sun.

21

7 1 George ?

. m i

1_ U Hamilton | _ 5

SUB.

n J J I n * 1 I

+ lo| . W ' K m i

SUB. SUBSTITUTES

(1 K n u t s o n IS Larson

35 1 Nelson

CONFERENCES

COURTESY RUNNERS

LINEUP CARD MANAGEMENT Good lineup card management practices will make it easier for an umpire to keep track of who's in the game in what capacity, who has re-entry rights and who's not permitted to return. Ideally, whatever system is used should make it easy for another umpire to pick up the lineup card and quickly understand the situation. That can become a necessity if a game is suspended and resumed at a later date with another umpire crew.

Some key things to consider: • Always confirm at the plate meeting

whether the DH is being used and, if so, the type of DH.

• Coaches have different ways of filling out lineup cards. With a "traditional" DH, make sure it's clear for whom the DH is hitting.

• If a player/DH assumes the DH-only role (when a substitute enters the defensive role), circle the DH or otherwise make some indication on the lineup card that this transition has occurred. Also make

a notation if the player/DH makes his one-time return to the defensive role as this uses his one-time re-entry rights.

• Make sure you know who has re-entry rights. That will have a huge impact on allowable substitutions.

• If you're not certain of whether a change is permitted, don't be afraid to get together with your partner(s) to sort it out. Better to delay the game for a moment to ensure proper enforcement of a substitution rule than to have to sort out a mess later in the game.

HIGH SCHOOL BASEBALL: GUIDE TO THE OH RULE