If the DH can bat anywhere in the AL line-up, why do NL pitchers always bat in the 9th spot?

Answer 1

There is nothing that says a pitcher has to bat 9th. They hit in that position because they are not as good as position players with the bat. There have been many pitchers in the past that have hit higher up in the batting order, such as Don Drysdale, and others. When Sparky Anderson was the manager of the Reds he would hit the pitcher 8th many times because he felt he could put a fast runner in the 9th position and get back to the top of the line-up with a fast runner on base, but he gave that up after a while.

Answer 2

The pitcher is usually not a good hitter. Generally, you put your worst hitter at the bottom of the lineup, even in the American league.

Plus, you do not want your starting pitcher running the bases a lot during a game. He will lose stamina to be able to pitch longer into games. You leave him at the bottom where he may just get 2 at bats before removed in the 6th inning or so. Pitchers are being paid to pitch more so than to bat.

Answer 3

It's simple mathematics. The pitched bats in the 9th spot because he is always the worst hitter. The higher in the lineup you are, the more times a game a player will get an at bat. You want your best hitters to get the most at bats. DH's being that all they do is hit, usualy should be one of the best hitters in the lineup.

Answer 4

Any player can bat anywhere in the lineup in either league. In the N.L., a manager could choose to have his pitcher bat higher in the order. However, very few pitchers are even marginally good batters because they concentrate their training on pitching ability. Thus, in almost all instances, the pitcher is the worst batter in the lineup and bats last.

Answer 5

Mainly because with few exceptions pitchers cant hit their weight. Hitting them anywhere else in the lineup could cause them to be rally killers. Lineups are usually constructed with a purpose. Your one hitter is either one of your better hitters or a speed guy. Two can handle the bat, able to drop down a bunt or get a hit, but a contact guy. Three four and five are your rbi/power guys. Six seven and eight good for some hits able to turn the lineup over and get it back to the top

Answer 6

Generally, Pitchers are the worst hitters on a Major League team. Therefore, you want to keep their at-bats to a minumum. In my opinion, MLB should get rid of the DH and make the pitchers take their cuts at the plate.

Answer 7

Because the guy who bats ninth gets the least amount of plate appearances and the pitcher is usually the worst hitter.

In addition, even if the pitcher is a good hitter and better than one of the position players, he still bats ninth lest the manager risk showing up guy who would hit behind the pitcher.

Answer 8

The 9th spot is usually reserved for batters that do not hit well, as that #9 slot does not usually get as many at bats as the #1 slot. And pitchers are not known fo rthe thier hitting ability.

Whereas, the DH is normally the best hitter on the team and will usually bat 3rd or 4th.

Answer 9

While McGwire was injured and really could only pinch hit, in road games, they would take a pitcher (usually the pitcher from the game before) and list him as the starter and pinch hit with McGwire right away. Then they would bring in the actual starter after the at bat was over.

Not sure how many games they did this, but after the 1st at bat, being 9th or 1st is really no different.

Answer 10

Judging by your question, you have never ed played ball yourself, have you? NL pitchers bat last because you normally put your weakest hitter in the last position. And since pitchers don't play everyday, they don't get the necessary at bats to get their swings down pat, or get their timing down.