Pinch hitter

Baseball

In Baseball, a Pinch hitter is a common term for a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted for at any time the ball is dead; the manager may use any player not yet in the game as a substitute. Pinch hitters are often used to replace a starting player when a substitute is thought to have a better chance of reaching base or helping other runners to score.

Related Topics:
Baseball - Pinch hitter - Ball is dead - Manager

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In the National League of North America's Major League Baseball, the pitcher is often pinch hit for in the middle or late innings because pitchers are often poor hitters. Nearly all other leagues use the designated hitter rule; thus, pitchers seldom bat, removing one situation where a pinch hitter may be desired.

Related Topics:
National League - North America - Major League Baseball - Pitcher - Designated hitter

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All Time Pinch Hit Leaders (updated on May 4, 2005)

• Active players are denoted in Bold
• Other notable players who have batted as pinch hitting specialists in their careers include:

See also

• At bat
• Designated hitter