What is your opinion of the DH rule?

Question

Personally, I prefer it over not having a DH, but everyone is entitled to their own opinion. I can understand the point of view that without a DH, it adds a whole new dynamic to the game (and some people say that's how the game is meant to be played), but I personally find it more of a nuisance.

Here are my reasons (if you want to read them):

1. Pitchers are rally killers. Every time the middle of the lineup gets a rally going early in the game, the opposing pitcher always intentionally walks the 7th/8th hitters to bring the pitcher to the plate. I find this takes away from the fun of a game.

2. A pitcher can solely focus on pitching with the DH. Without a DH, a pitcher might be taken out of a game (despite being in the middle of one of his better performances) if the manager opts to use a pinch hitter.

3. Pitching performances are that much more impressive in the AL, because the pitcher gets no breaks. Every hitter in the lineup, 1 through 9, can punish the pitcher if he makes a mistake. Without a DH however, the pitcher can get a break by facing the opposing pitcher.

4. The DH role is often used to ease back players from injuries. If you have a player with a minor injury or returning from injury, you can ease them back into the game by letting them hit in the DH role.

Once again, this is just my opinion, and I'd love to hear yours.

Answer 1

Hate it or like it, doesn't matter. On opening day 2013 the DH rule will turn 40 or in other words it is the 40th anniversary, when Ron Blomberg stepped to the plate for the NY Yankees on Opening day. As a baseball fan I rather come to the park and see a home run, or an amazing defensive play or even a dominant pitching performance, not a pitcher swinging on three straight fast balls, or maybe just leaving the bat on their shoulders. Ironically, Blomberg took a walk in his first AB as a DH.

Answer 2

I respectfully disagree with all four of your points.



# 1. This is a rare happening to walk both the # 7 and # 8 hitters to get to the pitcher. Almost any decent rally by the middle of the order would mean at least 2 runners on and fewer than 2 outs. So if you walk # 7, then the bases are loaded and still only one or no outs. Now what will you do with # 8? Pray?



# 2. and # 3. You say that the pitcher can focus on the hitters better. Doubtful, because facing even one more league average hitter increases the likelihood of a hit. Focusing doesn't mean you pitch any better as you still have to throw strikes and there is always the danger you will leave a hittable ball up in the strike zone and bango! Bye bye ball. There is a reason the AL hitters hit more homers.



# 4. If injured let them go down and practice in a minor league. It is called rehab.



And the idea that DH's lead to vastly more scoring is a joke.



In 2012 the AL clubs scored an average of 4.4 runs per game. OK



The NL clubs without a DH,scored an average of 4.2 runs per game.



Two tenths (.2) of a run means that you would see an AL club score one more run every 5 games than a NL cub. "Isn't that exciting?" Not!



I say no to the DH as it severely distorts our national game.



Thanks for reading this far and seeing my vent.



Have a nice day.

Answer 3

I don't like the DH. I think pitchers should bat.



1) The NL style of play is the original style where 9 players take the field and 9 players bat

2) The NL manager has more and harder decisions to make with the pitcher having to have a spot in the line up, pull the pitcher during a good performance, for a chance to get more runs? Double switches, etc

3) The DH was originally made because the AL lacked the fan base that the NL had, more offense at the time meant more fans. The AL does not have that disadvantage anymore

4) The DH is usually an overpaid ex-great who still makes mega bucks for batting a few times a game

Answer 4

When it was instituted, the idea was to give star power hitters a few more seasons without having to play a position. It has evolved into some players being DH's almost from the first day they are on an AL roster -- and if a pitcher has to hit, he may not be so bold in taking a cheap shot at a hitter through extreme inside heat.

Answer 5

I could easily make arguments for both sides, but I'm a baseball purist and a dying breed at that. I like things to stay the way they are to help previous record holders have the same chance of holding onto their record. If NL pitchers had to face DHs from here on out, we can expect much higher ERAs in the NL down the road and this just makes records so much more difficult to take down in the National League.



I am fine with DH in AL and no DH in NL. It gives players options too. There are a lot of pitchers out there who love hitting and a few that are good at it too. And I think one day, pitchers might revert back to being able to do both effectively.



As for your logic, I understand where you are coming from. They are rally killers and they do force pitchers who are on the top of their game to exit based on situation rather than talent. But doesn't the 9th place hitter being a pitcher kinda keep games in the NL more competitive. It minimizes the liklihood of that big rally and reduces those blow out games. Fans typically prefer closer 5-4 final scores rather than the ugly 9-2 in the top of the 6th with three more innings to go.



And like I said, with the format the way it is, it allows pitchers to determine their destiny. For those who don't want to hit because it might break their rhythm or the risk of injury increases, they can opt to go to the AL. And if not, they should stay in the NL. I don't think we should eliminate the flexibilitiy there when the benefits really aren't as huge as it might seem.

Answer 6

I'm pretty much indifferent.

I like that the AL has the DH and the NL doesn't, but not because I "like" or "dislike" the DH; it just really keeps the leagues separate as two individual leagues, in my opinion.

But I don't think any of the arguments for or against are really convincing; especially since they're mostly, "Because it's BETTER this way!" arguments. The "strategy" of the NL is grossly exaggerated, and the increase in offense/excitement in the AL is grossly exaggerated.



Also, I think the argument the DH gives sluggers who can't field a place in the lineup which they otherwise would not have (which has been used both for and against the DH, funny enough) is wrong. It's not the "slugger" who is able to have a job because of the DH, it's the better-fielding but poorer-hitting guy who would be benched to make room for the slugger if there's no DH.

Answer 7

I would love to see a game where hitting mattered to the pitchers in the line up. That time is long gone though. Pitchers are too specialized to put the effort into becoming good hitters. That being case, in today's game, the DH results in a better product.

Answer 8

The DH is a terrible rule. It lobotomizes the strategic element of the game. Decisions have consequences in NL baseball. If you have a 6th inning rally, you have to decide whether you want to swap out your ace starter in the hopes that it improves the chance of continuing the rally or letting them bat knowing that he's less likely to drive in the runs.



It also requires building a complete team. You have know that your big-time slugger is capable of contributing on defense. You don't get a free pass for your fat, aged, lead-gloved LF by sitting him on the bench for 80% of the game. You have to weigh the offensive production against his terrible defense.



The DH makes thing too easy.

Answer 9

I prefer the NL style of play, having a DH takes away allot of the strategies that you see in the late innings. I never much liked the DH, or the AL.

Answer 10

Maybe I have NL bias, but I don't like the DH. I like seeing pitchers hit home runs and get RBIs once in a while!

Answer 11

I completely agree the AL with the DH is just much more competitive in opinion

Answer 12

I prefer a slug fest over a pitching duel so im DH all the way. Plus, where would big papi be with the DH?

Answer 13

I think its better than letting the starting pitcher at the plate.

Answer 14

I think an MLB batters box should be for professionals, not technicalities... this is like making QBs return punts because some leather head from 1930 said so.

Answer 15

Get rid of it. DH's are usually one -dimension players whose better days are behind them.