Should the position of "designated hitter" be banned in baseball?

Question

I understand that the teams in the A.L. use it to boost sagging offensive performances when it is the pitcher’s turn at bat. But do you think that it takes away from the competiveness and tradition of baseball? Personally, I think that all pitchers should have to bat, but tell me what you think about the DH.

Answer 1

Yes. Baseball is a chess match and allowing the DH allows managers to go on autopilot. For example, if the Yankees are pitching in the 8th inning, ahead by 1 run with two men on base, 2 outs, and the opposing cleanup hitter coming to the plate, Torre has a no-brainer decision to make - Rivera for 4 outs. If there were no DH, and the bottom of the Yanks line-up coming to the plate in the 9th, Torre would have to think about the match-ups available in his bullpen, whether Rivera could lay down a bunt in the 9th if he needed him to, who's rested in his pen, etc. National League managers have a lot more to think about on a given night because of the pitchers' spot in the line-up. Double-switches, pinch-hitters, lefty/righty specialists, warming up too many pitchers on a given night...all things that are less important to an AL skipper. Plus the fact that a pitcher becomes much more valuable as an athlete in the National League. They have to know a little bit about baserunning, bunting, and even swinging for the fences every now and then (Mike Hampton, Dontrell Willis, Rick Ankiel before he went nuts, John Smoltz).

If Mike Piazza's legs are too broken to catch anymore or David Ortiz is not flexible enough to stretch for a short-hop at first base, they need to stop playing the game. The great ball players, from Ty Cobb to Mickey Mantle to Albert Pujols, are athletes who play baseball. Not huge beasts who can hit a ball a thousand feet to right field.

Not having a DH makes the game more interesting to watch, more interesting to think about, and more difficult to manage.

Answer 2

Major league baseball should decide one way or the other for both leagues. To have a DH in the Am. League and not in the Nat'l League raises an inequality between the leagues. Then, at All Star game or World Series, it's not a uniform rule. AL teams should not be penalized for not having pitchers bat during the year, but then will have to in the World Series, and vice versa. I'm a NL fan, and personally think that all current players should take their turn at bat. Plus, there are some good hitting pitchers, i.e. Carlos Zambrano, and pitchers should not have to sit out a batting rotation just because they are pitchers.

Answer 3

I do not care for the DH. I think that pitchers should bat just like everyone else on the team. As far as pitchers being easy outs , that's not always true. Tony Larussa actually uses a pitcher as a pinch hitter from time to time. The only reason I can think of to use a pinch hitter would be out of fear of a pitcher getting hit by a pitch on purpose. Other than that I see no real reason for it except to extend the careers of some big hitters. But do we really need that when so many good young players are struggling to get to the big show? P.S. designated hitter is not a position It's a line up spot.

Answer 4

I like the DH, and think both leagues should have it. I just don't get it when I hear people say "the DH takes the strategy out of the game". What strategy? Watching a pitcher strike out, or bunt? What's so exciting about that? As an A.L. fan, it annoys me to see a National League team, in Interleague play, walk the 8th hitter to pitch to a pitcher who never hits, and you know is going to make an out. Yes, there are pitchers who can hit, but not many. Why should all pitchers have to bat? Fans like offense, and when you see that the pitcher is coming up the next inning, you pretty much know that it's an automatic out and that their most likely won't be any sort of a rally. National League baseball is boring. Too many intentional walks, too many pitchers striking out and bunting. The DH is great.

Answer 5

This can be easily argued from different points of view. There are both pros and cons to the positon of the DH. Personally, I like big offensive games with lots of runs scored, so a DH works for me. The pitcher, usually, is the easy out and why waste a spot in the lineup. Let the pitcher continue to remain focused to the task at hand of getting the next batter out, rather than getting a hit to maybe drive in a run. On the other hand, the pitcher batting does add to the purity of the game and how it was played in days gone by.

Answer 6

I think pitchers should bat. It makes the manager have to think whether to let him bat because he wants him to keep pitching the next innings or use a reliever. Many times he would let him bat if he is the third out, but if men are on base he would probably take him out if it is later in the game. It depends on the situation but it makes the manager make decisions The designated hitter takes away from the tradition but I'm an old guy.

Answer 7

I agree that the DH should be abolished. While it gives a player with poor defensive skills, but a decent bat a chance to play in the majors, it takes away from the traditional strategy of the game. Many games in the NL are won, or lost, because of the manager's decision to let a pitcher bat, or lift him for a pinch hitter. Personally, I enjoy a low-scoring pitchers' duel a lot more than a slugfest.

Answer 8

In today's more specialized game I believe that the DH has found a niche as has "the closer", and "short reliever" or "set up man."
I do believe it is time for Major League Baseball to decide one way or the other and have the same for both leagues. The DH has allowed time tested stars remain in the game and draw fans through the DH. Since it is a business I believe it would be good for the game to keep the DH in baseball.

Answer 9

I love the DH rule. The pitcher at bat is the biggest rallykiller in the MLB . It makes it more exciting to know that there is no easy out for the pitcher.

Answer 10

I'm a fan of the National League because my team is in it. If you want to play a true game of baseball, then DH should definitely be eliminated. The pitcher is a player that should also have to deal with the batter's box. It is unfair that they get a free-bee. Most people say that the AL has better overall teams and players, but, if it is true, it is only because these teams have the DH to improve run support, home runs, and hits. The DH should be banned, but won't be because Baseball is jus to scared to make that drastic of a change.