Non-starting players (reserves) are called into a game when BBM needs more batter outs to complete a game. The game engine counts a minimum of 26 visitor outs before calling in reserves.
The preferred order BBM uses the reserves may be set in the Reserve Rankings on the Manage menu. All active hitters are listed.
Note: Players promoted today will appear on the Reserve Rankings list, but cannot appear in a game until tomorrow.
The order of the Reserve Rankings is a preference list only. The method in which reserves are used in BBM depends on factors such as how many outs remain in the game, whether a player has a true reserve-type performance (like a pinch hitting appearance), the difference in generated outs between the visiting team and home team, etc.
In general, reserve appearances are called for when fewer than 5 outs are needed to complete a game. If 5 or more outs are needed, a starting appearance is called for.
Note: The game engine will go through the reserve list more than once if it cannot pull the number and/or type of appearance needed to complete the game. Additionally, a starting appearance will be used even if a reserve-type performance is called for if the player does not have a reserve appearances in his stat pool. This is why the order reserves are used in a BBM box score (and a starting performance listed after a pinch-hit) may not match the order of your Reserve Ranking list. Ultimate Leagues Only
When a reserve uses a live starting performance the handedness of the opposing SP does not matter. But, when a non-live starting performance is used it does matter.
Here's how it works: When a reserve enters the game, the first priority is whether BBM needs to use a true starting appearance or a non-starting appearance (like pinch hitting). When the game needs to use a start, it will first try to use a live performance - no matter who the batter happened to face that day. If there isn't a live performance to use, the stat will come from the stat pool in which the player currently has more starts (vs. LHP or vs. RHP).
For example, if Jones enters the game as a reserve and his stat pool has 8 starts against RHP and 2 start against LHP and the game needs a starting-type performance (as opposed to the pinch hitting-type) the computer will use his life performance that night. If he didn't start live that night it will randomly select one of the 8 starting stats.