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Discussion: Player can play defense but cannot bat.

Posted Discussion
Feb. 12, 2024
Olden Slow
Men's 75
209 posts
Player can play defense but cannot bat.
This question may have been asked before, but during a discussion with some managers it came up.
12 man roster, 11 on the field but 1 player can play defense but cannot swing the bat. Is this legal and this player can only play defense ?
Thanks
March 16, 2024
Matty507
10 posts
My guess is no. That would benefit the team, especially if he is a .120 hitter. Why cant he swing a bat? It seems to me if he can throw and play a position, he can swing a bat.
March 17, 2024
Fearless Freep
Men's 70
5 posts
So, there can be players who only run, and players who only bat, but there can't be players who only field? I'm sure the logic supporting this is most enlightening, not to mention entertaining.
March 17, 2024
SSUSA Staff
3491 posts
Matty507's guess is incorrect ... The official playing rules permit, under certain circumstances, "defense only" (DEFO) players ... I'm not sure what entertainment value anyone may take from the rule, but it's covered fairly extensively in Rulebook §4.5 • AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT RULE on pages 24-25 ... SSUSA recognizes and implements compliance with the Federal rules to ensure that an athlete who may be physically challenged is able to participate ... We believe it's an important rule provision and, accordingly, is unlikely to change or be repealed ...

March 19, 2024
Fearless Freep
Men's 70
5 posts
My post had nothing to do with ADA. Merely pointing out the inconsistency of permitting batters who do not field, but prohibiting fielders who do not bat.
March 19, 2024
Webbie25
Men's 70
2414 posts
Are ' Senior Moments' also covered?
March 19, 2024
DaveDowell
Men's 70
4321 posts
FF ... Be careful when you choose to speak in absolutes ... We do NOT prohibit ALL defenders who do not bat ... The A.D.A. - DEFO exception mentioned is accurate, so there can be a circumstance of a non-batting defender ... However, generally that is not the case: A player not covered by A.D.A. can otherwise be "in the game" only by being in the batting order ... So, someone paying defense must be in the batting order and bat OR have a pre-approved DEFO exception.

March 19, 2024
Olden Slow
Men's 75
209 posts
Dave: Thanks for the clarification, the player in question has a bad shoulder but can play 1B only and cannot swing a bat.
Thanks
March 19, 2024
Dbax
Men's 65
2101 posts
Wow, this sounds like Einstein’s ridiculous idea to have an offense and a defense.
March 19, 2024
Olden Slow
Men's 75
209 posts
Dbax: It is actually, it's Steven Einstein and he's from Arizona .
I'll pass on your theory :-)
March 19, 2024
Dbax
Men's 65
2101 posts
There is another Einstein from years ago that was banned from the message board. Brings back bad memories.😂
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