Why call it "Pinch Hit"?

[Modeps]

Is it simply because you expect them to come through "in a pinch" ?

and where the heck did THAT come from??

 

[NikPreviousAcct]

Yes, it's because of the whole "in a pinch" thing.

 

[Mallow]

yep, your usually in a pinch. Meaning, you need a hit to win the game or to gain the lead.

 

[NFS4]

I wish they'd call it "pinching a loaf"

 

[BigSmooth]

To trace "in a pinch," we start with the verb "to pinch," which came from the Old French "pincier." The literal sense of "to pinch" is "to squeeze, especially with the fingers and, of the human body, especially in a way that causes pain or discomfort." Since it first appeared in English in the 14th century, both the verb and noun forms of "pinch" have taken on various figurative meanings. "To pinch" has meant, among other things, "to afflict or harass," "to steal" and "to be miserly" ("pinch pennies"). As a noun, "pinch" has been used as a metaphor for, most importantly for our discussion, any sort of severe pressure, difficulty or hardship that "pinches" a person. Thus we quite logically say that to be in such a situation is "to feel the pinch" or "to be in a pinch." This use of "in" (originally "at" or "on") a "pinch" dates back to at least the late 15th century, and the use in baseball of "pinch hitter" to mean one player substituted for another at a critical stage of the game dates back to 1902.

From here: http://www.word-detective.com/021804.html