By Jordan Long
The designated hitter might be coming to the National League. As it stands right now, only the American League uses this rule after it was adopted in 1973. This allows pitchers to focus on pitching and not hitting the ball. It also gives the American League another hitter with a chance to do something in the lineup. In the National League pitchers usually get an out by often striking out, grounding out or putting down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners for an easy out.
According to businessinsider.com ESPN Buster Olney said, “Look, it’s only a matter of time before the National League rules go away, and both league have the Designated Hitter.”
I agree with this statement. Pitchers are paid millions of dollars to pitch. They are not earning their money by hitting or to be on base when they are in the National League. It also seemed like the American League had a leg up when it came to this rule in an American League ball park. It potentially adds more scoring to the game. Both leagues would then be using the same batting rules.
The downside of this is there are some pitchers in the National League who enjoy hitting. It takes away their chance to pad a lead or help the team come back. They will have to get used to focusing on pitching and not hitting. Some managers may even add a pitcher in the lineup on their off day to hit such as Madison Bumgarner who can handle hitting the baseball.
Major League Baseball in the past is slow to change. On paper it seems like a no brainer to add this modification. Baseball wants to add more scoring to the game. This would do it. Time will tell but it seems like they will add the DH rule to both leagues. It could be in the next 3 to 5 years.
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