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Originally Posted by SAump
Came up in Astros vs Cubs game yesterday. Cubs won 11-4. Lou P stepped across the foul line on his way to the mound. Lou was near the mound when he turned to the HP umpire (perhaps Rappapanno?) to request a DS. The Astros manager stepped up to the foul line to oppose the idea. Lou P did not go straight to the umpire. The umpires met and UIC (U1) decided to allow the DS.
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I was watching, and Piniella did not violate any rule, though the Astros manager was smart to question the move. Piniella went to the mound, asked his pitcher if he was done for the day, got a confirmation, then immediately turned to the PU (Marty Foster, BTW) and made the double switch. All the rule requires is that the umpire be informed of the batting order change before the player takes his position. Piniella did not make the call to the bullpen until he had reported the change to Foster. No rule violated.
Plus, it was only the first trip of the inning, so he did not have to remove the pitcher. The manager has to go to the umpire before making the change, not before he talks to his pitcher. If it had been the 2nd trip, Piniella would have gone straight to the umpire first.