2007-04-28 12:36:58 · 11 answers · asked by djlovesyou 2 in Sports ➔ Baseball
I want to know why there is a difference.
2007-04-28 12:44:03 · update #1
Back in the 1920's the National League was falling behind in offense and attendance. Babe Ruth of course was tearing up the American League and was the biggest draw when the Yankees played in the other American League cities. The National League owners wanted to beef up the offense on each of their eight teams. They came up with the idea of having a good hitter bat in place of the pitcher; it was to be called the "Designated Pinch-Hitter".
It was not accepted when it finally came to a vote.
In the late 1960's the American League teams were falling behind the National League teams; they were still playing the way of the 1950's and the National League was playing a more exciting style of ball. During Spring Training of 1969, the American League experimented with the Designated Hitter (it was mentioned in the book "Ball Four" if anyone is interested).
The American League had three more seasons of falling attendance and decided to experiment with the DH for three seasons, from 1973 to 1975. It turned out to be a success as most American League teams strengthened their offense using players that were either never good fielders or were older and no longer had the speed to play in the field anymore.
Several American League teams acquired aging National League sluggers to bat only. Among them were Orlando Cepeda, Tommy Davis, Deron Johnson, Rico Carty, and later Henry Aaron.
2007-04-30 12:33:19 · answer #1 · answered by jpbofohio 6 · 4⤊ 0⤋
The DH rule came about as a response to declining ticket sales in the early '70s. It was an attempt to boost the number of hits, making the game more lively. It remains a controversial rule to this day -- the American League uses the DH rule, while the National League does not.
Interestingly, the concept of a DH was first raised by the National League way back in 1928, but was vetoed by the American League. I am an American league fan, but i don't like the DH rule, it takes away from the games true chess match with the managers. It was the start of the watering down of the game, up into the now sterioid mess. the DH and Free Agency truly has robbed the game of it's true lure, to the purest
2007-04-28 15:00:24 · answer #2 · answered by NYC212 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The league adopted the designated hitter (or "DH") rule in 1973 whereby a team may choose to designate a tenth player (not a position player) to bat in place of the pitcher. Contrary to popular belief, use of the DH is not mandatory. Though maligned by some critics, use of the DH rule has spread to almost every amateur and professional league, the two most notable exceptions being the National League and Japan's Central League.
2007-04-28 12:39:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
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.
2007-04-29 04:21:45 · answer #4 · answered by djfurey2002 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because the NL has more respect for the game of baseball and how it should be played. The DH rule is an amateurish, bush league, bullsh*t career extender for guys that can't field their way out of a wet paper sack. The AL never should have taken it up.
2007-04-28 15:29:44 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
McDonald's sells its hamburgers with and without cheese. No one complains that this state of affairs is confusing or unfair or somehow cheapens or corrupts the true form of the burger.
MLB has two different types of baseball, with and without the DH. The AL elected to use it in order to boost scoring, which has a demonstrable and historic trend of likewise boosting ticket sales. The players' union likes it, and it's not going to go away.
NL teams use the DH during interleague games played in AL parks. Using the DH is not mandatory, so clearly the NL teams, at this far remove from the original implementation of the DH (1973), are not totally opposed to its existence.
2007-04-28 13:06:47 · answer #6 · answered by Chipmaker Authentic 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Carlos Zambrano has pinch hit 2 circumstances interior the AL. technically speaking, you dont could desire to have a DH or in different words your DH may be your pitcher. i'm unsure of the quantity yet they could any time below the situations. maximum probable much less then 25 time and greater then 12
2016-10-14 01:05:52 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think the DH rule is great it makes the games better during inter-league play and during the world series. The game play is different in each league and that is what makes watching the game great!
2007-04-28 14:50:40 · answer #8 · answered by snowman_80 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
two national league owners voted agaisnt it. the vote was hold when the a.l and n.l were seperated with two preseidents. the DH is bad for the game anyway its made the A.L playstation its in the A.L were there was alot of steroids partualy do to the DH. itsfunner to see the N.L game their is bunting and running. the A.L. you just wait for the homerun its so boring they just stand out there in the bases waiting for the homerun i hate the DH. the DH also increases bean balls because pitchers are not afraid to get hit themeselves so they go out there hunting heads
2007-04-28 12:58:48 · answer #9 · answered by Dodgerblue 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Just the way it is. The pitcher is an important key to game wins and somethimes they can't bat or you'd rather protect them from injuries.
2007-04-28 12:40:43 · answer #10 · answered by Dawn-Marie 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋