Two batting terms confuse many new fans: the pinch hitter and the designated hitter. Both involve a player who bats in someone else's spot, yet they are different roles with different rules. A pinch hitter is a substitute who bats once in a particular spot and replaces another player. A designated hitter, or DH, is a player who bats for the pitcher in the batting order and does not play defense. This guide explains each role, how they differ and why teams use them.
This is an independent guide, and rules vary by league and level. Check the rulebook of your own competition for the exact details.
What is a pinch hitter?
A pinch hitter is a substitute batter. The manager sends him up to bat in place of the player who was due to hit. Typical reasons include:
- A tired or weak hitter is due up with a runner in scoring position late in a close game.
- A pitcher is due to bat, and the manager wants a stronger hitter instead.
- The matchup is better for a left-handed or right-handed batter against the pitcher on the mound.
- The player due up is injured or removed for a tactical reason.
In baseball, a pinch hitter replaces the player in the lineup, and the player who was replaced is out of the game. In most rulebooks, a player who has been removed cannot come back into the same game. That is why managers think carefully before using a pinch hitter, particularly if the replaced player is a defender who has to be replaced in the field next inning.
What happens after a pinch hit?
After a pinch hitter bats, he usually stays in the game. He either takes over the defensive position of the player he replaced, or a different substitute takes the field in the next half-inning. In the batting order, the pinch hitter takes the spot of the player he replaced.
This is why the glossary lists a pinch hitter as "a substitute batter." For more terms like this, see our baseball terms glossary.
Pinch runner
A related role is the pinch runner, a substitute who takes the place of a runner on base. Teams often use a faster player to run for a slower player who has reached base late in a close game. The pinch runner enters the lineup in that spot.
What is the designated hitter (DH)?
The designated hitter bats in the lineup but does not play a defensive position. The DH was created so that a stronger batter could take the pitcher's turn at bat. Pitchers usually practice pitching, not hitting, so they are often weaker hitters than other players.
The DH is listed in the batting order like any other player, so the team still has nine hitters, but only nine players are on the field defensively, and the pitcher is one of them. That is why people sometimes ask whether baseball has ten positions. The DH is a batting role, not one of the nine fielding positions. Our guide to baseball positions explained covers that question in more detail.
When did the DH rule start?
The DH has a long history of different rules in different leagues. In Major League Baseball, the American League adopted the designated hitter in 1973. For many seasons the National League did not. Starting in 2022, Major League Baseball used the designated hitter in both leagues, so pitchers no longer bat in regular MLB games. College baseball, many amateur leagues and many international competitions also use the DH, though specific rules differ.
If you are playing in a youth league or a school league, check whether it uses a DH, because many do and some do not.
Pinch hitter vs designated hitter
| Pinch hitter | Designated hitter | |
|---|---|---|
| Role | Substitute who replaces a batter | Starting batter who does not play defense |
| When | During the game, as a tactical move | Named in the starting lineup |
| Who he replaces | A player who was due to bat | The pitcher's spot in the batting order |
| Defense | Usually takes a position or is replaced | Does not play in the field |
| Number per game | As many as the manager wants and has players for | One in the lineup |
| Original player | Usually out of the game | Pitcher still pitches |
Can a pinch hitter replace the DH?
Yes. A pinch hitter can bat for the designated hitter. In most rulebooks the pinch hitter then becomes the new DH, and the original DH is out of the game. Some rules differ by league, so always check.
Can the DH play in the field?
In some leagues, a DH who goes into the field changes the lineup, and the team may lose the DH role for the rest of the game. The rules differ in each league, so teams usually plan the lineup carefully before the game.
Two-way players and the DH
A player who both pitches and bats is a two-way player. In MLB a rule introduced in 2022 allows a team to keep a starting pitcher as its DH after he leaves the mound, under certain conditions. This applies to a handful of players. Youth and amateur leagues may have their own rules for players who pitch and hit.
Why managers use pinch hitters
- To create a better matchup. A manager may swap a right-handed batter for a left-handed one against a particular pitcher.
- To score a runner. A strong contact hitter can help a runner on third score with one hit.
- To replace a tired player. Late in a close game, a fresher bat can help.
- To bunt or move a runner. Some players are known for short game skills.
- To use the bench. Every team has reserves, and pinch hitting gives them a role.
Why a pinch hit is a bigger decision than it looks
Because the original player usually cannot return, a pinch hitter can leave the team short on defense later. Managers have to think about the position, the bench and the next inning. If no good defensive replacement is available, the manager may choose to leave the original player in to bat.
How to read pinch hitters on a scorecard
A scorer records a pinch hitter by writing "PH" next to his name in the lineup, and the player's new position is recorded when he enters the field. If you are learning to keep score, our guide to baseball positions by number explains the numbers used in scoring.
FAQ
What is a pinch hitter in baseball?
A pinch hitter is a substitute batter who bats in place of the player who was due up. The replaced player usually cannot return to the game.
What is the DH position in baseball?
The DH, or designated hitter, is a player who bats in the lineup but does not play defense. In most leagues the DH bats for the pitcher.
Is the DH a defensive position?
No. The DH is a batting role. Baseball has nine defensive positions, and the DH is not counted among them.
Does MLB have a DH in both leagues?
Yes, starting in 2022 Major League Baseball used the designated hitter in both leagues. Before that, only the American League used it in regular games.
What is the difference between a pinch hitter and a pinch runner?
A pinch hitter replaces a batter. A pinch runner replaces a player who is already on base.