[gsf23]

Originally Posted by shickenbottom

Tuss, this has nothing to do with whether the pitcher is forced to bat or not. It is refering that the pitcher named on the batting order is required to pitch to the 1st batter. Lets say, that the visiting team goes ahead by 6 runs in the top of the 1st inning, the visiting coach, wanting to save his best pitcher wants to put a different pitcher in to pitch. He can't do this unless in the judgement of the umpire he can't pitch to the 1st batter.

In a way though it does. Visitors up in top of the first inning (National League game) and they bat all the way through to the pitchers spot. What Tuss is asking is could they now pinch-hit for the pitcher. According to this rule, they couldn't because the starting pitcher has to pitch to the first home team batter in the bottom of the inning.