One Fateful Mistake

If the Defensive Specialist comes across as a little rattled in today’s post, it’s entirely his own fault. You see, being a fiend for the stick and ball and severely jonesing for a fix, the Defensive Specialist desperately scanned the Internet searching for some form of action. With no Claxton Shield activity taking place in NSW and the Deep in the Hole travel budget somewhat underfunded, the Defensive Specialist’s chances were bleak. As is often the case, desperate times called for desperate measures and it was this desperation that led to a fateful mistake. On Sunday afternoon, the Defensive Specialist received a call from a protégé who mentioned that he would be in town watching his sister compete at a national tournament and that it would be a great opportunity to catch up. The Defensive Specialist readily agreed and then asked, “What’s your sister playing?”

The Defensive Specialist then heard the following word:

“Softball”

Having already agreed and having never actually watched a softball game before, the Defensive Specialist jumped in the Deep in the Hole mobile and headed for the outer regions of NSW to the Blacktown Olympic facility. Walking into the softball complex a strange feeling came over the Defensive Specialist and it appeared that the clouds had taken on a darker tinge. It was clear that the Baseball Gods were stirring. Going against everything he believed in, the Defensive Specialist pressed on. It was soon evident that this venue was hosting both a boys and girls under 16 tournament.

Being a keen observer, the Defensive Specialist quickly noticed there was a high proportion of mullets (both the men and women) on display as well as some particularly garish uniforms and colour schemes. There was also a dramatically high level of bad bodies throughout the complex which was somewhat of a relief to the Defensive Specialist as he now had an answer for the next time someone says that baseballers aren’t athletes – “yes, that may be the case, but softballers are even less so”.

As the Defensive Specialist got closer to the main diamond, his auditory canals picked up on some form of rhythmic chanting. Moving closer to where the sounds were coming from, the Defensive Specialist was able to establish the cause – organised team and crowd cheers. When the Defensive Specialist says organised, he means that states had actually conjured up team specific chants and then taken the time to print them out so that the crowd could sing along in unison.

It was this chanting, coupled with the realisation that as a 30 year old + male walking into the venue on his own he looked like a pedophile on the prowl that made the Defensive Specialist decidedly uncomfortable. Fortunately the Defensive Specialist’s protégé showed up soon after and they were able to look like pedophiles working in tandem.

Being the first game of softball the Defensive Specialist had ever seen, he was keen to see the nuances of the sport and how it differed from baseball. The first thing that caught the Defensive Specialist’s eye was a left-handed second baseman. This of course led the Defensive Specialist to seek out some sort of authority on the game to explain this move. The argument defending the lefty second baseman was that it enabled her to start the double play really easily. The Defensive Specialist nodded in agreement to the statement, but being the big brain that he is asked a follow up question, “so how the hell does she turn the double play?” This led to a pregnant pause, a grunt and then an admission that they don’t really turn too many double plays.

The Defensive Specialist’s queries about the lefty second sacker were justified during the game as she clanked two grounders and dropped an infield can of corn. This lead to her getting dragged late in the game.

There were plenty of other oddities that caught the Defensive Specialist’s eye throughout the game that may have to be covered in a subsequent post. If anyone else out there has any interesting softball insights, by all means email them in and we can have a softball sledging session at some stage. The Defensive Specialist must admit though, with all the chanting and hand slapping, it sure did look like the girls were having a good time.

Since the Defensive Specialist is a little shell shocked, it’s probably a good time to dip into the Deep in the Hole mailbag. Today’s question comes from a loyal reader and focuses on baseball rules. The Defensive Specialist may have the best hands in the game, but when it comes to rule interpretations, he knows his limitations. In these instances it is time to outsource to a specialist in the field. Professional umpire Travis Hatch has stepped up to drop the knowledge:

Hey DS,

I was trailing through the play-by-play of the WA v SA in the State Under 18 Championship and noticed an interesting situation with the DH.

Looking at the lineup card and assuming it is correct, it looks like the WA team started without a DH and on the first pitching change moved the pitcher to DH, bringing in a new pitcher.

The play by play also states WHITE (the starting pitcher) to dh. WARBURTON to p

Can you explain this move?

Additionally, I would like a clearer understanding of the double switch involving a pitcher. Does the coach have to go to the umpire first?

Cubbie.

OK Cubbie,

Firstly the move from the state team game is a competition rule only.

As you know any league is able to introduce any rules they see fit to their league/competition. These rules supercede any rules from the Official Baseball Rules. Things like pitch counts, pinch runner, DH all spring to mind. In Federation baseball (US High school) they are able to name an extra hitter as in a 10th hitter in the line up as well as a DH. Also the DH does not have to hit for the pitcher, he can hit for anyone in the defence. Just a little different.

Basically to my understanding the National Championships rule in question states that a team may start a game without a DH and one can be added later. Usually the starting pitcher will hit for himself and then remain in the game and hit for the new pitcher.

In pro ball, and most other leagues that have adopted the DH rule (6.10 OBR) a DH must be named prior to the start of the game and he must hit in place of the pitcher. You may substitute for the DH with someone from the bench without any issues, however the position in the order is "locked in."

Beyond that it starts getting hairy.

If the pitcher moves to a defensive position - you lose the Role of the DH.

If a defensive player moves to the mound - you lose the Role of the DH.

If the pitcher hits for himself - you lose the Role of the DH.

Once the DH moves to a defensive position - you lose the Role of the DH.

Those are the basics of the DH rule.

The Double-Switch is the DH Rule's evil twin brother. This rule actually comes in to play whenever you make multiple substitutions at the same time. Where it usually comes in to play is in a "National League" game where the DH rule is not being used and the pitcher is hitting for himself. Now in AA and AAA whenever two teams of a National League Affiliation meet they do not use the DH rule.

Let me break it down for you, with a pitcher batting for himself you want to minimise the number of times he has to come to bat thus minimising the effect of his "not being able to actually hit."

When you make multiple substitutions at the same time, the manager may select "who bats for whom" in the order.

They way it is normally done is if the pitcher is due to hit soon they will take the last out of the last inning and take him out of the game and replace him with the new pitcher and the guy who was just substituted out will be replaced by another defensive player from the bench. The key to a double switch is that the manager must make the change to the umpire before the new pitcher comes to the mound or before a pinch hitter reaches the box. Otherwise this is just a straightforward substitution and the batting order will not change.

In the case when the pitcher is due up to bat the manager will usually come and see you and tell you there is a new hitter batting for the pitcher and he will tell you the name of the new pitcher and who is batting for.

It all sounds a little more complicated than it is... It only gets hairy if the manager doesn’t announce it properly and extra players get taken out of the game unnecessarily. Remember there are only a limited number of bench players and bullpen pitchers so it’s all a big juggling and balancing act for the managers to get through the game. If it’s all tied up, you have to win the game but someone has got to pitch...

Regards

Travis Hatch

Eastern League Umpire #11

There you have it, straight from the horse’s mouth (which is better than some of the things that umpires are called). If you have any other umpire pertinent questions for Travis, by all means shoot them into thedefenisvespecialist@gmail.com and you’ll get your info delivered on a platter.

The Defensive Specialist will be back later in the week with another mailbag question and then hits the highway to bring you all the action from this weekend’s Perth Heat – NSW Patriots series from regional NSW. It’s shaping up to be a big series as Perth looks to lock up top spot on the table and NSW scramble for a finals birth.  Now if you’ll excuse the Defensive Specialist, he has some cheers to learn!