OFFICIAL BASEBALL RULES

Rule 5.10 to 5.11ner, then this pitcher must be removed from the game. Themanager should be notified that his pitcher will be removedfrom the game after he pitches to one hitter, so he can have asubstitute pitcher warmed up.The substitute pitcher will be allowed eight preparatory pitchesor more if in the umpire’s judgment circumstances justify.5.11 (6.10) Designated Hitter RuleAny League may elect to use Rule 5.11(a) (Rule 6.10(b)), whichshall be called the Designated Hitter Rule.(a) (6.10(b)) The Designated Hitter Rule provides as follows:(1) A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcherand all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwiseaffecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game. ADesignated Hitter for the pitcher, if any, must be selectedprior to the game and must be included in the lineup cardspresented to the Umpire-in-Chief. If a manager lists 10players in his team’s lineup card, but fails to indicate oneas the Designated Hitter, and an umpire or either manager(or designee of either manager who presents his team’slineup card) notices the error before the umpire-in-chiefcalls “Play” to start the game, the umpire-in-chief shalldirect the manager who had made the omission to designatewhich of the nine players, other than the pitcher, willbe the Designated Hitter.Rule 5.11(a)(1) Comment (Rule 6.10(b)(1) Comment): A correctionof a failure to indicate a Designated Hitter when 10players are listed in a batting order is an “obvious” error thatmay be corrected before a game starts. See Rule 4.02Comment (Rule 4.01 Comment).(2) The Designated Hitter named in the starting lineup mustcome to bat at least one time, unless the opposing clubchanges pitchers.(3) It is not mandatory that a club designate a hitter for thepitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludesthe use of a Designated Hitter for that club for that game.55