6.10 Any League may elect to use the Designated Hitter Rule.
(a) In the event of inter
league competition between clubs of Leagues using the Designated
Hitter Rule and clubs of Leagues not using the Designated Hitter
Rule, the rule will be used as follows:
1. In World Series or exhibition games, the rule will be used or
not used as is the practice of the home team.
2. In All Star games, the rule will only be used if both teams
and both Leagues so agree.
(b) The Rule provides as
follows: A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting
pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise
affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game. A Designated
Hitter for the pitcher must be selected prior to the game and
must be included in the lineup cards presented to the Umpire in
Chief. The designated hitter named in the starting lineup must
come to bat at least one time, unless the opposing club changes
pitchers. It is not mandatory that a club designate a hitter for
the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the
use of a Designated Hitter for that game. Pinch hitters for a
Designated Hitter may be used. Any substitute hitter for a
Designated Hitter becomes the Designated Hitter. A replaced
Designated Hitter shall not re enter the game in any capacity.
The Designated Hitter may be used defensively, continuing to bat
in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must
then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless
more than one substitution is made, and the manager then must
designate their spots in the batting order. A runner may be
substituted for the Designated Hitter and the runner assumes the
role of Designated Hitter. A Designated Hitter may not pinch run.
A Designated Hitter is "locked" into the batting order.
No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting
rotation of the Designated Hitter. Once the game pitcher is
switched from the mound to a defensive position this move shall
terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the
game. Once a pinch hitter bats for any player in the batting
order and then enters the game to pitch, this move shall
terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the
game. Once the game pitcher bats for the Designated Hitter this
move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder
of the game. (The game pitcher may only pinch hit for the
Designated Hitter). Once a Designated Hitter assumes a defensive
position this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for
the remainder of the game. A substitute for the Designated Hitter
need not be announced until it is the Designated Hitter's turn to
bat.
