PITCHER CHANGING DEFENSIVE POSITIONS - Baseball Rules Academy (2024)

FAQs

Can a pitcher switch positions? ›

A pitcher may change to another position only once during the same inning; e.g. the pitcher will not be allowed to assume a position other than a pitcher more than once in the same inning.

'Disengagement' rule

Thanks to the new rules in 2023, a pitcher is only allowed to "disengage" from the pitcher's rubber on the mound twice per plate appearance with a runner on base. Even if he doesn't throw over, just stepping off is a disengagement.

Players are allowed to switch positions in the middle of the inning.

Prototypical Division I pitching recruits throw anywhere between 87 and 95 MPH on a consistent basis. It is important to remember that coaches are looking for pitchers to consistently throw at this velocity, not just touch it every once and awhile.

In the event a pitcher switches pitching hands during an at-bat because he has suffered an injury, the pitcher may not, for the remainder of the game, pitch with the hand from which he has switched. The pitcher shall not be given the opportunity to throw any preparatory pitches after switching pitching hands.

There is no limit. Current major league rules mandate that each pitcher entering a game must face at least three batters and the that pitcher is allowed to be replaced by another pitcher.

Disengagement Violation: Strike out

Another way MLB has sped up the game is by limiting pitchers the amount of times they're able to attempt to pick-off a runner. A pitcher now has two disengagements (pickoff attempts or step-offs) per plate appearance.

A pitcher gets two "disengagements" per batter. This is either stepping off or a pickoff attempt. A third disengagement would result in a balk. The disengagement count resets if a runner advances, such as with a stolen base, balk, wild pitch or passed ball.

If a pitcher faces one batter to end an inning, he may be removed, but if he is brought back for a second inning, he must still face two more batters for a total of three.

Thus, a player who starts (or enters the game during) an inning as a pitcher may substitute for any position(s) afterwards; however, he may not return to the pitching position more than once in the same inning.

Can you change pitchers in the middle of an inning? ›

Yes. A manager can change pitchers in the middle of an at bat as long as the previous pitcher had faced at least one batter and that batter either reached first base, was put out, or the previous pitcher was hurt. This is probably most commonly seen in youth leagues with pitch restrictions or when a pitcher gets hurt.

Pitchers are permitted to use two legal pitching deliveries -- the windup position and the set position -- and either position may be used at any time.

How hard should a 17-year-old throw? Most 17-year-old players are high school juniors with 3 years of high school and 3-4 years of travel ball experience behind them. Junior year is a big recruiting year for college coaches. Average players often throw in the upper 70s and low 80s.

13 And 14-Year-Olds

The pitchers in the 13 and 14-year-old age range can be deeply involved in travel baseball or wrapping up their Little League experience. An average fastball from this age range is anywhere from 55 mph (on the low side) to 75 mph.

But the catcher has the most responsibility of any player on the field, eclipsing even that of the pitcher. Being a catcher is the hardest job in baseball.

A pitcher, withdrawn from the game offensively or defensively for a substitute, may not re-enter the game as a pitcher.

Infielders cannot switch positions within an inning, so you can't continually swap your shortstop and second baseman to put the better defender on the side the batter is most likely to hit the ball.

In most leagues, including in college and the minor leagues below AA, pitchers never come to bat. But the most striking distinction is that pitchers almost never play another position in the field.