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Originally Posted by AtlUmpSteve
The only thing that makes a "double switch" in baseball anything other than standard use of substitution rules while replacing two or more players at once, is that (at least according to the talking heads) the manager must tell the plate umpire before he crosses the lines that the two subs are not batting in the same positions as the starters they appear to be replacing (pitcher for pitcher, position player for same position player). Otherwise, this just a multiple substitution, and the coach must report the subs, and who they replace, without any requirement that limits when it is reported.
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What you say is absolutely true. Some of you may recall that Dusty Baker, when coaching the Chicago Cubs, made a "double switch" and forgot to tell the umpire that the new fielder was taking the pitcher's spot in the order, and vise versa. The other team was wise to this and he ended up getting nailed for a batting-out-of-order violation since the umpire assumed it was a pitcher-for-pitcher, fielder-for-fielder substitution - since he was never told differently.
Here's the description of the incident:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/m...63/ai_n6108386
David Emerling
Memphis, TN