What is a double switch?

[2k6nats]

I seldom ever witness one in a game, but am puzzled whenever it happens.  Could someone explain?

[NatsAddict]

It's an NL strategy that isn't necessary in the AL due to the DH.  It is when you sub a pitcher and another player, moving the pitcher to a different position in the batting order.

For example, assume that your #6 hitter, your SS, made the last out of the bottom 7th in a tie/close game.  Your starting pitcher is gassed going into or sometime during the top of the 8th.  So, in the top of the 8th, you put in your setup guy.  Instead of putting the pitcher back in the 9 hole, you put him in the 6 hole so that you have 8 batters before you get to him.  You put your new SS in the 9 hole, and he'll be the 3rd batter for you in the 8th.  This serves so that you can either (1) have the new pitcher go more than 1 inning without batting, or (2) should he need to come out and your closer come in during the top of the 8th, the closer will not have to bat in the bottom of the 8th or otherwise come out of the game.

[spidernat]

It's just a way to alter the lineup late in games and, like natsaddict said, it's used when you want the reliever that comes into the game to go at least 2 innings.

[Steve Heezy]

This is apparently an art that all NL managers do not necessarily understand. Some managers execute flawlessly while others butcher it most of the time.

[PC]

I always thought, in the AL, when the pitcher is changed, the DH should also have to be changed, an AL double switch, as it were.