The home team uses Smith as the P/DH. In the second inning, Smith hits a double. The coach requests No. 45 as a courtesy runner for Smith. What should the umpire do?

The home team uses Smith as the P/DH. In the second inning, Smith hits a double. The coach requests No. 45 as a courtesy runner for Smith. What should the umpire do?

• A. The home plate umpire will deny the use of No. 45 as a courtesy runner for Smith. When Smith comes to bat, he bats as a DH and not a pitcher. Courtesy Runners are not allowed for a DH.
• B. The home plate umpire shall mark the use of No. 45 as a courtesy runner and inform the visiting team.
• C. The home plate umpire shall tell the coach he will have to get agreement from the opposing coach.
• D. The use of the DH will be ended for the game.

Answer: (A)

A designated hitter cannot have a courtesy runner. When Smith is the pitcher/designated hitter and he hits, he remains the batter and the DH for his next plate appearance; a courtesy runner cannot be used to run for a DH on the bases. Therefore, the request to use No. 45 is not allowed, and the umpire must deny it. Smith will still be the DH when he comes back to bat, with no substitution of a courtesy runner for him. If there were other baserunners who are not the DH, those runners could be replaced by courtesy runners under the applicable rules, but not for the DH.

A designated hitter cannot have a courtesy runner. When Smith is the pitcher/designated hitter and he hits, he remains the batter and the DH for his next plate appearance; a courtesy runner cannot be used to run for a DH on the bases. Therefore, the request to use No. 45 is not allowed, and the umpire must deny it. Smith will still be the DH when he comes back to bat, with no substitution of a courtesy runner for him. If there were other baserunners who are not the DH, those runners could be replaced by courtesy runners under the applicable rules, but not for the DH.