April 14, 2021

The Double Hook

I really like this modification to the designated hitter (DH) rule that will be tested in the Atlantic lead this year:

The Atlantic League will also implement a “double-hook” rule, in which a team will lose its designated hitter when it removes its starting pitcher. That rule will be in effect the entire season, which starts May 27. The goal is to see starters pitch longer into games, creating more value for them and increasing late-game strategy.

ESPN.com

I suspect relief pitchers bat very little in NL games. This rule may actually increase the length of relief appearances, since a team would likely need to carry more position players for pinch hitting duties, and fewer pitchers. I suspect people who don’t like the DH would not like this hybrid, but it would keep the double switch in place.

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