In high school baseball, can a substitute pitcher leave the mound, stay in the game in nother defensive position, and then return to the mound?

I have never seen it in NFHS rules. I have seen it in tournaments in various states.

Regardless of whether or not it is allowed by rules it is ludicrous, at least in my mind, to subject a kids arm to a "cooling down" period and then bring him back in

JMO

yes. they are just like any position player on the field.

He "could" go back in per the rules, but folks need to think about the kids "mental" game. If he doesn't have it, he likely won't "get it" after sitting out an inning or 2 or more.

Tr is right about the cooling off...mental "cooling, too.

Legal?...Yes, under NFHS rule 3 Section 1 article 2

advisable?...yes, no, possibly, probably not, depends...take your pick, (genious if it works, stupid if it backfires)

Infrequent?....in my experience, yes, but it remains a viable tactical option...

When this happens it rarely is a case of a pitcher who has lost it who then comes back into the game later... It is usually a switch to a different type of pitcher in a tactical situation.... Batter comes up who has hit the fastball hard all day with runners on... Coach will bring in 3rd baseman curveball pitcher to deal with batter then return his fastball guy to the mound.....normally the span between fielding and pitching is small....1 or 2 batters...

I think it is harmful and stupid thing to do, and should not be allowed.

Here's where I have seen it done: State Championship tourney at 14U level. Pitching Rules allow re-entry, and limit the innings any one pitcher can throw to 7 innings in two consecutive days.

One team has a dominating pitcher. They start him, he predictably shuts down the opponent, and they get a 5 run lead.

They pull him after two innings (saving him for 5 the next day) and if their opponent mounts a comeback, they can re-enter him to stop them.

I hate this rule because 1) it is not good for a kids arm to cool down then pitch again; and
2) it magnifies the effect of a dominant pitcher in a tournament situation.

Plus - it just ain't baseball!

Piaa_ump...I am very surprised, and now I can say I learned a new rule today. I have never seen it done in 35 years in a HS game...WOW.

If the pitcher leaves the game, and was hitting, he has to re-enter in the same batting spot...correct?? What if he was DH'd for??

quote:

Originally posted by Rob Kremer:
I hate this rule because 1) it is not good for a kids arm to cool down then pitch again; and
2) it magnifies the effect of a dominant pitcher in a tournament situation.

Plus - it just ain't baseball!

I agree that it isn't a great thing to do but is a viable statagy in certain situations. As to it not being baseball the same thing is allowed in Pro rules and was done in past times to get a certain batter out then return the original pitcher. With all the specialty pitchers we have today you won't see it today.

Michael:
Is that true? I didn't know that pro baseball rules allow a pitcher to re-enter.