Do you have to notify an umpire when switching positions in baseball?

Question

Let's say you want to switch your left fielder and right fielder with each other (not replacing them). I know you wouldn't switch their place in the batting but would you have to notify an umpire? Are players assigned positions on lineup cards?

Answer 1

No. The umpire need to be notified when a pitcher is replaced, or when some other fielder is replaced by a substitute not already in the game. Two outfielders trading positions are just standing in different spots. It's not a substitution.

Answer 2

You only have to notify the umpire & score keeper if you are changing pitchers. For example if you are swapping the left fielder and pitcher (no subsitution, just changing position), then you notify the umpire.



Even in this situation its not a substitution and not a lineup change. You only notify the umpire because there are certain rules about pitchers such as they must pitch to at least 1 batter, and the umpire tracks the number of manager visits which resets when there's a new pitcher.

Answer 3

Any baseball player on the field can play any position (or any part of the field) at any time. No need to notify anyone.

Answer 4

No, only when entering a game from the bench. Not to switch positions.