[BoomerSoonerAMH]

For the record, the problem isn't that the game engine requires every spot in the lineup. At all levels of baseball, you have to have a complete lineup at all times. The game mirrors this perfectly. The problem is that the game forces an immediate substitution of injured player.

For example, the Mayberry Sheriffs are playing the Mayberry Mailmen, and Barney Fife sprains his ankle on the last pitch in the top of the first inning while pitching. He's not due to hit until the 9th spot in the batting order. In the bottom of the first the Sheriffs will start at the top of their lineup, but there is still no requirement that Barney be removed from the lineup. If the 9th spot comes to bat in the bottom of the first, then skipper Andy would likely want to send in Opie to pinch hit for Barney. After the half inning is completed, then a new pitcher could be substituted anywhere in the lineup (either 9th and replacing Opie, or somewhere else with Opie remaining in the 9th spot). If the 9th spot doesn't come to bat, you could still substitute in the same manner, but wouldn't need to do so until the top of the 2nd (unless Barney's ankle were to be healed). Obviously my example applies to NL rules and covers the more problematic situation that involves the pitcher hitting.