Double Switches

[Mackrel829]

I've tried Googling this but I don't really understand the explanations I've found.

What is a double switch, and what is an example of a situation in which I would want to utilise one?

[knucklecutter]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_switch_(baseball)


Basically, you bring in a new pitcher end up changing the lineup so a pitcher won't have to hit the following inning. It usually happens late in the game.

[tessl]

Double header not double hitter. Double header is two games on the same day.

Double switch is primarily in the NL when the pitcher is replaced and a position player enters the game to replace another position player and bats in the pitcher's spot in the lineup - usually the 9th spot in the batting order.

[Mackrel829]

Quote: Originally Posted by knucklecutter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Double_switch_(baseball) Basically, you bring in a new pitcher end up changing the lineup so a pitcher won't have to hit the following inning. It usually happens late in the game.

So my 1,2,3 in the lineup have just been at bat and all struck out. I'm up to pitch, and I want to replace my pitcher. So I bring in a new pitcher and put him in the 3 spot so that he doesn't have to bat. Is that correct?

Does one of my first three hitters move down the lineup and hit again, or do I also have to substitute one of them for another position player?

[My993C2]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mackrel829

So my 1,2,3 in the lineup have just been at bat and all struck out. I'm up to pitch, and I want to replace my pitcher. So I bring in a new pitcher and put him in the 3 spot so that he doesn't have to bat. Is that correct?

Correct

Quote: Originally Posted by Mackrel829

Does one of my first three hitters move down the lineup and hit again, or do I also have to substitute one of them for another position player?

No, you are taking the #3 hitter out of the game. But the other two guys remain in their slots.

Here is the scenario you will often see the double switch used in. It's the end of the inning (more often than not it's also late in the game) and your #8 hitter is the catcher who recorded the last out while at bat. You know you want to replace your pitcher for a fresh arm out of the bullpen but you also know there is no way this relief pitcher should bat during the next half inning, so instead you decide "hey I want to give me catcher a break, let's make a double switch". The relief pitcher is subbed into the #8 position meaning the original catcher is out of the game while the replacement catcher will be leading off the next half inning in the #9 hitting slot. I used the catcher in this example, but it could be any position player in any batting slot. You were going to pinch hit for the new relief pitcher anyway, but double switches also serve to give other players a break and allow new players to enter into the game. Oh and this strategy also allows you to keep you relief pitcher in for more than just one inning if this is what you want to do. What you are trying to do is reduce the number of times your pitchers might have to have a plate appearances while maximizing how many innings you can get out of a reliever, especially when a game looks like it might go into extra innings.

Clear as mud?

[Caulfield]

Quote: Originally Posted by My993C2

Correct No, you are taking the #3 hitter out of the game. But the other two guys remain in their slots. Here is the scenario you will often see the double switch used in. It's the end of the inning (more often than not it's also late in the game) and your #8 hitter is the catcher who recorded the last out while at bat. You know you want to replace your pitcher for a fresh arm out of the bullpen but you also know there is no way this relief pitcher should bat during the next half inning, so instead you decide "hey I want to give me catcher a break, let's make a double switch". The relief pitcher is subbed into the #8 position meaning the original catcher is out of the game while the replacement catcher will be leading off the next half inning in the #9 hitting slot. I used the catcher in this example, but it could be any position player in any batting slot. You were going to pinch hit for the new relief pitcher anyway, but double switches also serve to give other players a break and allow new players to enter into the game. Oh and this strategy also allows you to keep you relief pitcher in for more than just one inning if this is what you want to do. What you are trying to do is reduce the number of times your pitchers might have to have a plate appearances while maximizing how many innings you can get out of a reliever, especially when a game looks like it might go into extra innings. Clear as mud?

crystal clear lol
I wish Bud Selig would have explained it this way to Manferd when he was grooming him as commish. I think Manferd was quickly lost on the subject &, eyes glazed over, decided double switches should go the way of the bunt.

now, having said that, I have become more a fan of the AL in the Show to the point I enjoy playing more with Baltimore than Atlanta. the pitching strategy is the one thing I find lacking when playing as an American League team.
thankfully I get that strategy when playing as Atlanta & Colorado

[My993C2]

Quote: Originally Posted by Caulfield

I have become more a fan of the AL in the Show to the point I enjoy playing more with Baltimore than Atlanta. the pitching strategy is the one thing I find lacking when playing as an American League team. thankfully I get that strategy when playing as Atlanta & Colorado

A few years back I played a MLBTS season with the Red Sox (needed to experience playing games at Fenway) and yeah managing the bullpen in the AL is definitely a different mindset. In most cases once the starter was out of the game it was just "Let's bring a new arm into the game at the beginning of every defensive inning" and as long as the reliever did not falter, there was no need to alter this strategy (though going into extra innings can be problematic if you have burned through your bullpen with the one pitcher per inning approach).

With that said, as cool as playing at Fenway was, I prefer using NL teams in this game because of the pitching strategies and "Double Switches" play an important role in managing an NL pitching staff.

[tessl]

Quote: Originally Posted by Mackrel829

So my 1,2,3 in the lineup have just been at bat and all struck out. I'm up to pitch, and I want to replace my pitcher. So I bring in a new pitcher and put him in the 3 spot so that he doesn't have to bat. Is that correct? Does one of my first three hitters move down the lineup and hit again, or do I also have to substitute one of them for another position player?

If you want the relief pitcher to work more than the current inning then you do the double switch but typically you don't want to replace the 3 hitter because he is one of your best hitters. I that case I normally wouldn't do a double switch because you are 6 batters away from the 9 spot and you don't want to replace your 3 hitter.

I use it when I'm lower in the batting order. For example you are in the field and you have the 7 hitter scheduled to lead off the next inning and you go to the bullpen and want the relief pitcher to pitch more than one inning. You do a double switch and replace the 5 or 6 hitter, whichever fits best with your personnel on the bench. The new position player bats in the 9 spot and the relief pitcher bats in the 5 or 6 spot.

It's typically only if you want to extend the relief pitcher.