The matter regarding whether a starting pitcher, or any pitcher for that matter, can be substituted for and then be allowed to return as a pitcher seems to cause confusion for many coaches and umpires. Rule 3 of the NFHS Rule book governing this situation is somewhat difficult to interpret with respect to "wording".
Having thoroughly researched this question by reading Rule 3 and obtaining various NFHS rule interpretations, the following is provided in an effort to understand the requirements that must be met in order for a pitcher to return or re-enter as a pitcher once they have been substituted for.
We all know in high school baseball all starters may leave and re-enter once. So, the starting pitcher may leave the game and later re-enter one time. The key issue now revolves around whether or not that starting pitcher can re-enter as a pitcher.
The answer is not a simple yes or no. A starting pitcher can leave the game and re-enter one time, and he can return to pitch as long as some restrictions have not been violated. The restrictions that would preclude a pitcher from re-entering and pitching are as follows:
Restriction 1: The "Charged Conference" rule has not been violated (Rule 3-1-2). If a pitcher is replaced because his team had more than three defensive charged conferences in seven innings, or more than one defensive charged conference in an inning or in extra innings, the pitcher can re-enter but not as a pitcher (i.e., if otherwise eligible to re-enter, he may re-enter and play another position other than pitcher).
Restriction 2: Once the Line Up is official, the starting pitcher must pitch until the first opposing batter has been put out or advanced to first base. Failure to fulfill this requirement would prevent the starting pitcher from re-entering the game as a pitcher (Rule 3-1-1). It may seem like a contradiction, but under this rule it's possible for the starting pitcher of the visiting team to be substituted for in the top half of the first inning and then re-enter and pitch. If a coach pinch hits (or pinch runs) for his starting pitcher in the top half of the first inning and then wants him re-enter in bottom of the first inning to pitch, it's legal because the first batter he was required to face had not yet batted when he was substituted for in the top of the first inning. The coach could not wait until the second inning to re-enter his starting pitcher and expect him to be able to re-enter as a pitcher because he did not pitch to the first batter scheduled as he was required to do.
Restriction 3: If a pitcher is replaced while his team is on defense, his substitute must pitch to the batter then at bat (or his substitute) or until that batter is out, reaches first base or a third out is made (Rule 3-1-2). So if there are less than two outs and a pitcher is replaced, the substitute must fulfill this requirement to "face" the batter. If he "picks off" a runner for the second out, this requirement has not been fulfilled as the batter he is required to face is still batting. Also, the umpire will not allow a defensive conference to take place which would require the pitcher to be replaced prior to the pitcher fulfilling the requirement of pitching to the required batter until that batter is out, reaches first base or a third out is made
Restriction 4: If a substitute pitcher takes more than eight warm-up pitches, the pitcher he replaced cannot return to pitch in that game (Rule 3-1-2) Why does this rule exist? It encourages a coach to have substitute pitchers ready to pitch when they enter the game. There is however, an exception to exceeding the eight warm up allowance. Rule 6-2-2 Exception: The umpire may allow more warm up pitches due to injury or weather.
Another condition that causes confusion concerns whether a pitcher may be removed and return to pitch in the same inning. A pitcher may be removed and return as a pitcher once per inning, providing the return does not violate rules of substitution (re-entry), charged conferences or another pitching restriction (Rule 3-1-2).
To make this situation clear, the following situation is provided:
Situation 1: Smith is pitching and B1, who is batting a thousand (3-3) against him in his career, is due up. Not wanting B1 to further enhance his average, the coach moves Smith to first base and directs the first baseman Green to pitch.Green takes eight warm-up pitches and gets B1 to fly-out for the first out of the inning. The coach then wants Smith and Green to trade places again. Ruling: This is legal as Smith is allowed to return and pitch once per inning.
Situation 2: Smith takes his 8 warm up pitches and strikes out B2 for out number 2. The coach then wants Smith and Green to trade places yet again. Ruling: This is legal as Green is allowed to return and pitch once per inning. If B3 reaches base and the coach wants to make another pitching change, he may do so; however, the new pitcher cannot be Smith or Green as they have both already returned to pitch in the same inning. Smith or Green would still be eligible to pitch in later innings if desired.
