Astroholic Posted May 31, 2006 Share Posted May 31, 2006 "A designated hitter (often shortened to "DH"), is an official position adopted by Major League Baseball's American League in 1973 that allowed teams to boost sagging offensive performances by designating a player to bat in place of the pitcher. It should be noted that no team is required to use a DH." First off, I'd like to say I don't like the AL only DH rule. In my opinion a pitcher is a pro athlete and should have to hit. He's been hitting his whole life; T-Ball, High School, College, Minor Leagues, and now the Pro's...Why stop now? Another point I'd like to make is why is it only American League? If there is a DH, why not have it for the entire league? Not bashing the people who do support the DH rule, just want to hear everyones view of the matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker_jim_uk Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 As I understand it the AL voted to use the DH to improve offense after the spartan 60's, the NL didn't. They are seperate leagues and choose to do this differently. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Unit Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 as much as i love to watch pitchers hitting, you cant change it now. and it could help some great players extend their careers or give them careers like david ortiz. a lot of people would take his bat despite his glove, but still, i like seeing more offense. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDom Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 The AL and NL both have different league offices, and presidents, and so on... So they vote on different stuff, and this is one thing that they voted seperatly on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroholic Posted June 1, 2006 Author Share Posted June 1, 2006 Do you agree with the DH rule though? I'm fine with having AL DH, NL no DH...even though I disagree with the rule. But wondering you guys opinion on the rule. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigDom Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I guess I agree with the rule... I think if NL would want to use it, they can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroholic Posted June 1, 2006 Author Share Posted June 1, 2006 Sorry for sounding stupid here, but do they have a meeting before each year to see if anyone wants to change this rule? or is it just other things? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Unit Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 i prefer it this way. it distinguishes the leagues even more, especially during the world series. and think of this... some players like the AL better, like pedro. he hit like 30 batters as a red sox pitcher (was known for great control) and then with the mets he only hit one batter all year. maybe he realized that if he hits someone hes getting up next inning... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroholic Posted June 1, 2006 Author Share Posted June 1, 2006 My only problem with it is I feel bad for AL pitchers in the World Series. Some of the pitchers just look plain sick at the plate. Some long time AL pitchers have trouble making the transition to NL, for example Randy Johnson. He threw the bat half way to first every time he swung the bat, not having the success that Roger & Andy have had. In my opinion a pitcher is a Professional Athlete. He should have to hit just like everyone else. Pitchers have been hitting in T-Ball, High School, College, Minor leagues..why stop now? I'm fine that they voted, fine there is difference in the two leagues...but I do wish both had no DH's. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
D-Unit Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 its kinda hard to debate, because i would love to hit while i pitch, its more strategic. but its also a good way to keep a player in the lineup, a 1/2 day off in a way. im split on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroholic Posted June 1, 2006 Author Share Posted June 1, 2006 "im split on it" Fair enough. I'm here and there with that. I think pitchers for the most part come up in situations where they can bunt anyways. Let them hit! I'm sure alot of AL pitchers would love too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The_Jerk Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I like the DH rule, and I think it should be used in both leagues. It allows the pitchers to be more comfortable in their position, and allows them to pitch as long as they can, instead of being taken out after five or six innings because the team needs some more offense. The DH allows a bullpen to function more logically, instead of the cut and paste process in the NL. It also allows some players who may be excellent hitters who have either had injuries or are just bad fielders to remain in the game and keep it more competitive. It would give some of the older stars in the league a chance to extend their careers by a feew years, and still be able to hit at a high level. And having the A pitchers bat in interleague play is even more ridiculous. The advantage the NL has is huge. The AL pitchers have to spend loads of time taking BP when they shuold be throwing bullpen sessions or looking through scouting reports. Let the pitchers pitch and the batters bat. To me, its the equivalent of making every starting fielder pitch one inning a game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgbaseball Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I love pitching, and my ideal game is both pitchers throwing no hitters. I'm fine with the DH rule for the AL. If I had to pick, I'd want the DH in both leagues, because most of the time a pitcher is an automatic out and a wasted at-bat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Astroholic Posted June 1, 2006 Author Share Posted June 1, 2006 "It also allows some players who may be excellent hitters who have either had injuries or are just bad fielders to remain in the game and keep it more competitive. It would give some of the older stars in the league a chance to extend their careers by a feew years, and still be able to hit at a high level." Agreed. Player gets hurt, move to AL and DH. Let them play a few more years, not instantly end their career. Nice post khinske9311. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sfgiantsflgators Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 and think of this... some players like the AL better, like pedro. he hit like 30 batters as a red sox pitcher (was known for great control) and then with the mets he only hit one batter all year. maybe he realized that if he hits someone hes getting up next inning... this is a big part of why i'm against the DH. maybe i'm just old school in this way but, if a pitcher wants to throw at guys, that's fine - just let him stand up there after he does it. pedro is a perfect example. the guy will throw at hitters all day long in the AL because he knows that he doesn't have to stand in there later. his days in the NL however show that he rethinks that situation: 7 years in AL - 77 HBP 6 years in NL - 42 HBP (not including this year) some pitchers, such as Clemens, will brush off batters anywhere - they have the old school mentality of "it's my plate". but for the most part, AL pitchers use the DH to protect them from the repercussions of their actions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoeyMcM93 Posted June 1, 2006 Share Posted June 1, 2006 I like the DH rule but it is a bit weird. Take Willis for example, he would hate the DH rule, he loves to hit! Some pitchers like it and some don't. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
All_Star Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 Uh, the NL is the only league to NOT use a DH....... High School, College, Minors and Japan, ALL use a DH (In High School not as much because there are better hitters there, but there is the option....) Get your facts straight buddy... (I do like National League Rules better though ) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgbaseball Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 All_Star is right on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gcurrier2004 Posted June 6, 2006 Share Posted June 6, 2006 The AL and NL both have different league offices, and presidents, and so on... So they vote on different stuff, and this is one thing that they voted seperatly on. Not since 1999. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nc4182 Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 The DH Is the reason that NL Pitchers are better than AL Pitchers. Its that one extra guy in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
utahjazzno12fan Posted July 5, 2006 Share Posted July 5, 2006 High Schools use a DH sometimes, but many of your pitchers are also position players on their 'day off'. In some of the minor leagues, sometimes pitchers are used as a DH. A prime example is Rick Ankiel. After being sent to the minors he would DH when not pitching Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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