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Originally Posted by BlitzkriegBob
Steve, you're right about umpiring needing to be informed prior to the substitution. However, the only thing I'm not sure about is whether or not the line actually comes into play. I remember once watching Phil Garner, about to do a double switch, take just a few steps out of the Astros dugout, motioning to the bullpen, and I could just sense Cecil Cooper yelling at him to report it to the PU first. It was too late however, and the pitcher had to lead off the next inning. I would agree that this is more of a strategy question than a rules question, though obviously there is some procedure that needs to be followed.
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Personally, I see not reason for such a ridiculous "rule". A substitution is a substitution and as long as it is reported to the umpire, what difference does it make who goes in for whom. It's not like a reentry where a player is restricted to a certain spot in the line-up.
Sounds to me like something that became a rule because a certain manager didn't agree with it when being outcoached by another team and had enough pull to get sour grapes rule installed.