Tonight I'm going to take a close look at parts of Rule 3 in the 2013 NFHS Rules book just to make sure that everyone understands those parts for future situations.
Rule 3, Section 3-Substitutions
Article 1 deals with subtitutions not listed on the official lineup card. Article 2 says ...A substitute may replace any player when the ball is dead or time has been called. The substitute or coach shall report to the plate umpire at the time of the change by stating name and shirt number of the:
a. player entering the game for the first time.
b. player re-entering.
c. FLEX who is batting for the DP.
d. DP who is playing defense for the FLEX.
e. player entering the game as a courtesy runner or being replaced in the batting order and the position to be occupied in the field if the player is not a courtesy runner.
NOTE: A pitcher may be removed as a pitcher and return as a pitcher only once per inning provided the return does not violate either the substitution or charged conference rule.
The above section etc. is located on Page 32 of the Rules Book
The Note above means that a pitcher could start each half inning in the circle, leave the position and play another position during that half inning or even go to the dugout and then re-enter as the pitcher in every inning of the game. Unless, of course, they leave the game. Remember though, if the pitcher is listed in the 10th spot in the batting order she must play defense at all times her team is on defense. If not out there, she has left the game.
Rule 3, Section 7, Article 1 on page 38 is very clear. Each team, when on defense, may be granted not more than three charged conferences without penalty during a seven-inning game to permt coaches or their representatives to confer with a defensive player or players. In any extra-inning game, each team shall be permitted one charged conference without penalty each inning while on defense. The number of charged conferences permitted is not cumulative. ...........
So, after a third charged conference in a seven-inning game the pitcher must be removed from that position for the remainder of the game. That pitcher may not re-enter the game or again become a pitcher.
Tag(s): Situations
