Baseball · Level 5: Upper-Intermediate · Sub-level 5.5
Managing a Game
10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
Managing a baseball game covers decisions made before the first pitch and during it: who plays and who rests, when the starting pitcher comes out, which bench players to use, and when to challenge a call. Over a 162-game regular season the manager also handles people, fatigue and travel.
Rest is planned around the schedule, with day games after night games common rest days and catchers worn down most by squatting and foul tips. Many teams limit starters to about 100 pitches, and a manager with a quick hook takes his starter out at the first sign of trouble. Each substitution removes a player for the rest of the game, so a bench bat or pinch runner is used once, and the spare catcher is guarded. MLB adopted the universal designated hitter in 2022, which ended pinch-hitting for the pitcher and lets a two-way player such as Ohtani keep batting after leaving the mound. A manager has one replay challenge and keeps it if the call is overturned; umpires in a replay centre in New York make the final call, and balls and strikes are not reviewable. Bobby Cox of the Braves was ejected more than any other manager.
The facts below cover rest, pitching changes, the bench, the DH, replay, ejections, managing people, analytics, the long season and famous managers.
Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.
Test 1Resting playersTake a test
A short turnaround leaves players tired.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Regular rest keeps players healthy into September and October.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Squatting and foul tips wear catchers down most.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
As DH, a player bats but rests in the field.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Resting a player in a hard match-up costs the team the least.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Fatigue builds and can lead to slumps or injuries.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Resting a player beside a scheduled off-day gives him two days.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Catching is hardest, the DH day lighter, a day off rests him fully.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Plan the rest around the schedule and tell the player early.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Day games after night games are common rest days.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 2When to pull the starterTake a test
A low pitch count means he is getting quick outs and is not tired.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A manager with a quick hook takes his starter out at the first sign of trouble.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Many teams limit starters to about 100 pitches.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Tired arms leave the ball up and lose speed.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
If relievers pitched a lot recently, the starter may need to go on.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A short leash means a quick hook; a long one lets him work through trouble.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Teams now rely on strong relievers instead of long starts.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Watch, check, prepare, change.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Hitters improve each time they see him.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Holding out a hand on the mound asks for the ball: the starter is done.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 3Using the benchTake a test
Without a catcher left, another player would have to catch.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A fast runner late can score the tying or winning run.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The replaced player cannot return.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Once used, a bench bat is gone for the game.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A left-handed and a right-handed hitter share a position.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A player who can play several positions gives the bench flexibility.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Each substitution removes a player for the rest of the game.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Bat, run, then defend.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Losing the only spare catcher would leave nobody to catch.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
A pinch runner brings speed for the key run.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 4Managing with the universal DHTake a test
MLB adopted the universal DH in 2022.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The double switch mainly managed the pitcher's spot in the order.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
With no pitcher's at-bat, there is no need to pinch-hit for him.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A tired player can hit as DH without playing in the field.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
If the DH plays in the field, the pitcher's spot comes into the order.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Ohtani can stay as DH after leaving the mound as pitcher.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Managers no longer save bats to hit for the pitcher.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
1973, 2020, then permanently in 2022.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
The rule lets a two-way player keep hitting after he stops pitching.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Since 2022 a starting pitcher who is also the DH may stay in to bat.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 5Replay challengesTake a test
A manager has one challenge and keeps it if the call is overturned.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A successful challenge is retained for later.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Staff watching replays call the dugout with advice.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Umpires in a replay centre in New York make the final call.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Ball-and-strike calls are not reviewable by replay.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Stalling lets the video room check the replay first.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Crew chiefs can start reviews in the late innings.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Call, check, challenge, decision.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Tag plays are reviewed most; balls and strikes are not reviewable.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Umpires wear headsets to hear the replay centre's decision.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 6Arguing and ejectionsTake a test
An ejection can protect a player who was about to be thrown out.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The Braves' Bobby Cox was ejected more than any other manager.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The league may fine or suspend managers after ejections.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The bench coach usually takes over.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Managers save their arguments for key moments.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Players often rally behind a manager who fights for them.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
A challenge replaces the old argument on the field.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Stepping in can save the player from ejection.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Cox holds the record; Weaver was famous for them; Torre had far fewer.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Kicking dirt at an umpire is a quick way to be thrown out.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 7Managing peopleTake a test
Clear communication builds trust over a long season.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Telling him early avoids surprises in the line-up.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Teams believe good relationships help over a long season.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Experienced players set standards day to day.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Managing people means fitting the approach to the person.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Managers explain decisions and protect players in public.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The phrase describes a manager players like and trust.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Private talk first, then a calm public message.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Staff meetings first, players next, media last.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Managers explain big decisions in private first.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 8Analytics in the dugoutTake a test
Analysts supply match-up data and suggestions.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The devices carry charts and numbers only.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Data compares each reliever against the coming hitters.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Fatigue, mood and health are not always in the numbers.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
It shows whether a move raises or lowers expected runs.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Heat maps show where each hitter is strong or weak.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
It lists how each reliever fares against each hitter.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Study, plan, review, use.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Cards are pure data; scouting mixes in judgement; gut feeling none.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Bullpen cards help pick the right reliever.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 9The long seasonTake a test
The MLB regular season has 162 games.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Spring to autumn, the season needs pacing.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Call-ups fill gaps left by injuries or poor form.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
The active roster grew from 25 to 26 players.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
September rosters expand to 28, no longer up to 40.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Rest before the playoffs helps avoid injuries.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Teams travel between cities for several away games in a row.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Spring training, then 162 games, then the playoffs.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
40, then 28 in September, then 26.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
With a place secured, the last games matter less.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Test 10Famous managersTake a test
Mack won 3,731 games, mostly with the Philadelphia Athletics.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
He managed them from 1901 to 1950.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
La Russa finished with 2,884 wins.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Both won all seven with the New York Yankees.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Torre's Yankees won in 1996, 1998, 1999 and 2000.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Mack managed in a suit and hat for decades.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Lasorda managed the Dodgers for 21 seasons.
Source: General baseball reference · recall
Mack 3,731, La Russa 2,884, Torre 2,326.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Mack in the 1890s, Stengel in the 1930s, La Russa in 1979.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Mack famously managed in street clothes.
Source: General baseball reference · applied
Questions people ask
- When does a manager take out the starting pitcher?
- Many teams limit starters to about 100 pitches, and tired arms leave the ball up and lose speed. Hitters also improve each time they see him, and teams now rely on strong relievers instead of long starts.
- Can a substituted player return to a baseball game?
- No. Once a player is replaced he cannot come back, so each pinch hitter or pinch runner used is gone for the rest of the game.
- When did MLB adopt the universal DH?
- MLB adopted the universal designated hitter permanently in 2022. With no pitcher's at-bat, managers no longer pinch-hit for him and the double switch lost its main purpose.
- How many replay challenges does an MLB manager get?
- A manager has one challenge and keeps it if the call is overturned. Umpires in the replay centre in New York make the final call, and crew chiefs can start reviews in the late innings.
- Which manager was ejected the most times?
- Bobby Cox of the Braves was ejected more than any other manager. When a manager is ejected, the bench coach usually takes over, and the league may fine or suspend him.
- How many games are in an MLB season?
- The regular season has 162 games, followed by the playoffs. The active roster grew from 25 to 26 players, and September rosters expand to 28 rather than up to 40.
- Which manager won the most games?
- Mack won 3,731 games, mostly with the Philadelphia Athletics, whom he managed from 1901 to 1950. La Russa finished with 2,884 wins.
Sources
General baseball references, WBSC and league material, coaching manuals; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered rules belong to the Rules category.
- General baseball reference100