Post by Chris on Nov 4, 2008 13:35:21 GMT -5
I'm sure this won't be the most pressing thing we discuss at this year's winter meetings but it needs to be addressed nonetheless.
The following occurred over the weekend in my series with Jack. Our rules do not provide clear guidance as to how the situation should be handled. This thread and agenda item will attempt to clarify for the future.
Lance Berkman, my DH, was injured in the early innings of the game. I was already short handed due to previous injuries so I opted to bring in Carlos Guillen, my backup shortstop, to fill his spot in the order. Two innings later, Jose Reyes is injured. I don't have a shortstop on the bench to replace Reyes but if I move Guillen to the field, I forego the DH spot and the pitcher must now hit.
My interpretation of the rules was that I had the option of either (1.) moving Guillen to shortstop and batting the pitcher or (2.) playing anyone at shortstop with the worst defense for the remainder of the game (in this scenario, it would have been Mark Reynolds). Since Guillen was a 4e32, I decided that playing the worst defense at short was a better option than having to have the pitcher bat (or pinch hit every time through the order with a depleted bench and pen.
Jack and Ed interpreted the rule that I was forced to move Guillen (and thus bat the pitcher) because I had an available shortstop at my disposal.
My proposal is to clarify the rules as they are currently written by including a reference to "the bench" in the language. This would clarify the situation going forward.
I'm blocked at work from accessing the league website so if someone could post the actual rule I am addressing, it would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris
The following occurred over the weekend in my series with Jack. Our rules do not provide clear guidance as to how the situation should be handled. This thread and agenda item will attempt to clarify for the future.
Lance Berkman, my DH, was injured in the early innings of the game. I was already short handed due to previous injuries so I opted to bring in Carlos Guillen, my backup shortstop, to fill his spot in the order. Two innings later, Jose Reyes is injured. I don't have a shortstop on the bench to replace Reyes but if I move Guillen to the field, I forego the DH spot and the pitcher must now hit.
My interpretation of the rules was that I had the option of either (1.) moving Guillen to shortstop and batting the pitcher or (2.) playing anyone at shortstop with the worst defense for the remainder of the game (in this scenario, it would have been Mark Reynolds). Since Guillen was a 4e32, I decided that playing the worst defense at short was a better option than having to have the pitcher bat (or pinch hit every time through the order with a depleted bench and pen.
Jack and Ed interpreted the rule that I was forced to move Guillen (and thus bat the pitcher) because I had an available shortstop at my disposal.
My proposal is to clarify the rules as they are currently written by including a reference to "the bench" in the language. This would clarify the situation going forward.
I'm blocked at work from accessing the league website so if someone could post the actual rule I am addressing, it would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Chris