Section 4: Players/Officials
Team and Lineup
- Each team plays nine defensive players: pitcher, catcher, four infielders (first, second, third base, shortstop), and three outfielders (left, center, right).
- The batting order lists the players who will bat and must be followed in sequence.
The Designated Hitter
- The NCAA permits a designated hitter (DH) who bats in place of one defensive player, typically the pitcher.
- The NCAA also allows a player to serve as both the pitcher and the designated hitter in the same game; if the player is removed from one role, specific rules govern whether the other role continues.
Substitutions
- Substitutes enter by being reported to the plate umpire and take the replaced player's spot in the batting order.
- No re-entry: Unlike the high-school game, NCAA baseball does not permit a player who has been removed to return. Once a starter or substitute leaves the game, that player is done.
- Courtesy runner: The rules permit a courtesy runner for the pitcher and the catcher to keep the game moving without using a substitution.
Officials
- Umpires: Games are worked by a crew — a plate umpire plus one to three base umpires (two-, three-, or four-umpire crews). The plate umpire calls balls and strikes and has general charge of the game; base umpires rule on plays on the bases and in the outfield.
- Official scorer: Keeps the official record — runs, hits, errors, and the line score — and rules on hits versus errors and earned versus unearned runs.
- Head coach: Responsible for the team's conduct and is the point of contact with the umpires for lineup changes, conferences, and appeals.