Why does the American Leauge have the DH but the National Leauge doesnt?

Question

I have always wondered why does one leauge have the DH but not the other. In your opinion should both leauges have the DH or should the pitches hit in both leauges. I think its to have some players further their careers but shouldnt be the same for both?

Answer 1

thats just how it is.

everyone talks about how the AL has better hitting(higher scoring). maybe it has to they have another person that can hit the ball

Answer 2

Personally, I think the American League has more interesting teams, like the Red Sox, Yankees, A's, and White Sox. It seems like the only interesting thing in the NL these days is Bonds, and I'm tired of hearing about him. I do not like the DH rule, however. I say, make the pitcher hit. All the players in the lineup should be out in the field playing defense or hitting the ball.

Answer 3

I think that the American League has a DH b/c they need to have a 9-man lineup. In the National League the pitcher hits and in the AL the pitcher doesnt hit so thats why I think that the AL has a DH (just to make up for the pitcher not hitting) and the NL doesnt. GO YANKEES!!! =)

Answer 4

In the 1970s, I believe...the A.L. always trailed the N.L. in runs, home runs, RBIs, etc. So in order to compete with the N.L., they established the DH. And it worked...look at the landslide in All Star Game victories for the A.L.

But yeah, I do agree that either both leagues should have the rule or neither league. National League teams don't spend all season grooming one player to just hit, so interleague play in A.L. stadiums gives them a disadvantage. Adding to that, the N.L. pitcher has to deal with 9 REAL hitters.

Answer 5

I believe that the AL instituted the DH as a way of creating more interest in baseball. I wish that it would go away. The DH takes away from a game steeped in tradition.

Answer 6

I don't know the reason they made the AL have a DH and not the NL, but I think MLB reps have said they keep it that way because it makes the two leagues different.

Answer 7

in 1973 the attendance in the american league was down significantlt to that of the national league the american league owners thought it was becaus the runs per game were down so they decided to put the dh in place of the pitcher with ron bloomberg of the yankees being the first dh

Answer 8

Well according to the MLB until recent inter-league play has started the AL and NL are two totally different leagues until playoffs, so basically they can have different rules. And at one time had many different rules.

Answer 9

its just the way it is. the al only got in like 1973 cuz of poor hitting. idk y the nl didnt take it.