What do DHs do?

Question

I saw that Jason Giamby was DH (designated hitter) but I know that he plays first base.
So what do DHs do?

Answer 1

A DH doesn't play in the field for the game in which he's the DH. That doesn't mean he's never played in the field or that he won't again play in the field, just that for this game, he's not.

DH's are used mainly to substitute for the pitcher -- usually the poorest hitter on the team.

Answer 2

Normally the pitcher is the worst hitter in the starting lineup.
The "DH" is a player that hits well.
Sometimes the player is placed in the lineup for a day-off and does not need to play the fielding position.
Sometimes the player is injured enough but can still hit so they are placed at DH.
Most of the time the regular DH is a player that is not able to play the field well enough to not be a hinderance to the team.
Jason Giambi would play first base if he were in the National League, but since the American League has the DH available, the New York Yankees play him there with a better fielder playing first base instead.
The National League is the only league in professional baseball that does not offer the DH option; all minor league teams offer the DH as well as the American League.

Answer 3

A DH is a stupid thing that only the American League has. In a lineup there are 9 spots and the pitcher almost always bats last in the majors. The DH is a hitter who doesnt play in the field, he just hits. Making it so the pitcher doesnt have any at bats. In the National League there is no DH, the real way to play baseball. Usually DH's are power hitters who have no fielding ability at all so they play in the American League where they just hit and dont have to play the field making players who shouldnt be playing, playing. And you spelled Giambi wrong. And if you asked this question you probably dont know that the American and National League are the two leagues of baseball in America.

Answer 4

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. Since then, most amateur and minor leagues have adopted the same or a similar rule, but the National League has not. The designated hitter spot is an option, so no team is required to use a DH although every American League team does have one.

Answer 5

A DH only hits and doesn't play the field but Giambi can play both but someone like David Ortiz only hits cause he can't play the field.And the AL only has the DH in the NL pitchers have to hit.

Answer 6

A DH is a Designated Hitter. They do not play in the field and bat instead of the pitcher. The only league this is done in is the American league. The National league does not do this.

Answer 7

A DH only hits and doesn't play in the field. He takes the at-bats that the pitcher would normally take in the American League. The National League doesn't have the DH, so its more strategy that goes into the game as far as pinch hitters, bunting, subs, etc. They should do away with the DH because its pointless. The AL was fine without it until 1976.

Answer 8

The DH is for ball players who can't field. Who's defensive skills are usually well below average. So they end up in the American League, sit on the bench for most of the game, bat maybe 4 or 5 times a game and maybe get a hit every once in a while.

The DH may be the single worse chance ever invented in the game of baseball. I wish baseball would get rid of it!!

Answer 9

The DH is offical position is the American League. It was established in 1973. The DH is an offensive man whose job is to bat for the a player, mostly pitchers , and to score.

The NL went to the pinch hitter.

Answer 10

DH stands for Designated Hitter, they bat in place of the pitcher.