Interesting question

From my husband:

Here's an interesting question about the NL and pinch hitting. Say it is either the top or bottomg of the 9th and you are down by a run and your pitcher is one of the next 3 batters, or if the inning goes a little longer and ends up in the batters box are you able to have a pinch hitter?

I said I don't see why not but he would have to pitch if need be but then he said okay so can he pitch to one batter and then pull him for another pitcher?

Well my husband researched the answer.

A starting pitcher may be pinched hit starting in the 5th inning. Hewill be pinch hit for the numbers of runs you are behind, plus half thenumber of runners currently on base, is atleast 4.5 in the 5th, 3.5 inthe 6th, 2 in the 7th, 1 in the 8th or .5 in the 9th or extra innings. Closers are always pinch hit for if they are behind, or tied, exceptthat before the 5th inning relievers are only pinch hit for if at least2 men are on base. If a pitcher is Pinch hit for then you can bring a new pitcher in thenext inning but the PH has to stay in the field at another position. Never thought about it. Baseball is crazy. I was reading the NL scoresheet.

I love the AL!!!