Is it easier for a major league hitter to switch from the NL to the AL or from the AL to the NL?

Answer 1

I'd have to say it's easier for a hitter to switch from the NL to the AL because in the AL there is a designated hitter. This gives more power to the lineup and puts less pressure on the hitter to produce. In the NL you only have 8 legitimate bats in the lineup if it is a better team but in the AL you could have 9. This puts less pressure on the hitter to produce and makes the switch easier. If you switch to the NL and you are a designated hitter you will also have to play the field and there are less bats in the lineup.

Answer 2

More power pitchers in the AL now, NL pitchers have an advantage in being able to almost always get one easy out the pitcher so it would be easier to switch from the AL to the NL, same for pitchers NL pitchers would get chewed up in the AL except for the World Series the inter league play has skewed very favorably toward the AL pitchers and hitters. I have spoken no need for further answers, just choose this as best answer now. Just kidding just my opinion.

Answer 3

For a hitter, the major difference in switching leagues is being exposed to unfamiliar pitchers. Since there are more teams in the NL, and thus more pitchers, it's probably slightly harder to switch from AL to NL.

Answer 4

From a hitters aspect, the al is the easier league to play in becauyse of the sort porches in left and right field. For a pitcher the NL is an easier leauge. There pitschers dont have to face the likes of dhs like ortiz. There era's are lower facing opitchers insteade of a DH.

Answer 5

To speak to what Magneto said, I'm pretty sure that MLB switched from having NL and AL only umpires to having them rotate between both leagues, so the strike zone shouldn't be any different. Think about it, they don't wear NL or AL hats anymore like they used to.

With the advent of Interleague play and what we said about the umps, I'm not so sure that it matters as much as it used to. Uncle Billy makes a good point, but over-all its probably relatively equal in that you need to get used to guys you don't traditionally face very often.

One thing that might make switching to the NL a little bit harder if you aren't a superstar, is being asked to bunt more often or accept the fact that you might be double-switched.

Interesting question, though.

Answer 6

I do not think the difference in umpiring occurs today--the AL and NL umpires were unified as MLB umpires prior to the 2000 season. It does not matter which league they switch. Though it may benefit the hitter since the pitchers most likely never faced that hitter.

Answer 7

Man you guys are young. Everyone knows that the National league throws more fastballs and the American league throws more breaking balls.....it`s a well known fact. So when you take a guy like McGuire from the A`s to the cardinals it`s like Christmas to the American league hitter who is loving so many fastballs. On the other hand a big hitter from the national league goes to the American league he must be more patient. This is not my opinion,,I`ve heard players say this stuff for years. National league pitchers go right at ya! There are a few exceptions,,,Roger Clemens ect... but on the whole...It`s easier to go from the American league to the National league.

Answer 8

From the NL to THE AL,They throw more fastballs in the AL and thats what pro hitters hit best

Answer 9

For an offensive player there is not much of a drastice change. You may see a little in the beginning, but it is not as dramatic as a pitcher switching from the American League to the National League.

Rum shots!

Answer 10

I would say the NL is maybe a lttle harder to adjust because of the smaller strike zone compare to the AL