Major League Baseball is in the middle of Spring Training. The regular season isn’t far away. One hot topic for years in MLB has been the designated hitter (DH). Only the American League uses the DH while the National League keeps the pitcher in the lineup. Why is there so much controversy about it?
Major League Baseball wanted the rule to able to add another batter to hit for the pitcher while still allowing the pitcher to stay in the game. The American League adopted using the DH in 1973 and it’s still in play today. The National League opposed using a DH in their games. This is why today we still have the use of the DH in one league. The only time that the DH will be used in both leagues is when baseball teams play in an American League ballpark. Even some college baseball leagues have added the DH so they don’t have to waste a pitcher batting in the lineup.
For years MLB thought about adding the DH to the National League or trying eliminating it in the American League. Abolishing it won’t happen. American League teams use this rule because it adds another batter in the lineup, which should equal more offense. Major League Baseball is all about more offense in the game.
There have been talks of adding the DH in National League games. MLB Union Chief Tony Clark says, “Nothing has changed at this point in time. But I am guessing come 2016 that conversation will come up again.” Clark is up for change. Clark would have to poll the players to see if the National League would like this change.
It’s an excellent idea to add the DH in both leagues. When the pitcher comes up to bat in the National League, he usually bunts if a player is on base to move him into scoring position. This is not their every day job. Starting pitchers try to strike batters out, force ground balls, and keep their team in the game.
The DH would eliminate pitchers going to the plate and having an at bat that usually ends in an out. The National League should consider adding the designated hitter. Pitchers would only have to worry about pitching and it also lets both leagues use the same rules. It’s time to add the designated hitter into the National League.
Should baseball add the DH to both leagues? If so, how could that affect baseball games?
I agree. Put DH in both leagues . It makes sense to keep the pressure off the pitchers. But change is hard so I don’t think it will happen
The differences between the leagues never made any sense to me. Perhaps baseball lovers who love the history of baseball would be sad if DH was in both leagues, but it would make a lot more sense to me!
I like to hit that ball. Hard.