What is an EH in baseball? (And how it differs from the DH)

There’s no single youth rule for the DH or the EH, and it causes problems every weekend. You hand in a lineup with ten names on it, the other coach says you can’t do that, and the umpire isn’t sure. Welcome to travel ball!

But there are only a few versions, and they’re easy to keep straight once you know the words…

EH (extra hitter). This is a tenth batter who doesn’t play defense. No one comes out of the order for him, so ten hit and nine field. Most travel ball organizations allow it, and the EH can usually trade places with a fielder whenever you like. Many rulebooks allow multiple EH slots. High school doesn’t have one.

DH (designated hitter). He bats in place of one player who only plays defense. That’s nine in the batting order and ten players in the game. In high school, the DH can hit for anyone, not only the pitcher. High school also lets one starter be his own DH. He’s listed at both spots, so he can keep hitting after he comes out of the field.

Then there’s batting the roster. Everyone hits, in order, and you get free substitution on defense. Most travel tournaments let you choose it, and plenty of rec leagues require it. But what happens when a player gets hurt or has to leave? Some events skip his spot, and some make you take an out.

If developing players is the point, I’d bat everyone in pool play — your players didn’t ride two hours to watch. Just understand that once you start a game batting 11, you usually can’t shrink it to nine in the fourth.

Each organization writes its own version of this rule, so don’t assume the last tournament’s rules carry over.

Before the game, ask the umpire about the DH, the EH, roster batting and an injured player’s spot. It’s a short conversation, and it can save you an argument later.