DH to the NL??

[BearBailey]

The Dh starts in high school and doesn't disappear again unless you play in the NL, why the national league hasn't adopted a Dh yet perplexes me. Imo both leagues should have a Dh. If not using a Dh was beneficial then one of the NL teams should opt not to use in in the World Series.

[Econteachert205]

The dh turns chess into checkers mixed with slow pitch softball.

[RichardSimon]

Originally Posted by BearBailey

The Dh starts in high school and doesn't disappear again unless you play in the NL, why the national league hasn't adopted a Dh yet perplexes me. Imo both leagues should have a Dh. If not using a Dh was beneficial then one of the NL teams should opt not to use in in the World Series.

I would be all in favor of no DH in the World Series or interleague play.
The AL has a distinct advantage during the WS and interleague play, using a real hitter to DH, while the NL uses some guy off the bench who probably did not bat a lot during the regular season.

[frankbmd]

Tell me why it makes sense that two leagues that play the same game don't play the same game.

Tell me why it makes sense that 90% of relief pitchers can only pitch 1 inning, creating that long bench in the bull pen.

Tell me why the best relief pitcher is utilized only when he is able to add to his statistical save total. Should the ability to get three outs before giving up three runs really determine how the game is managed?

Tell me why the winner of an all-star exhibition (not really a game) determines home field advantage in a World Series between two teams that aren't playing the same game.

It is as if the Patriots and the Colts were playing a football game and one team was using deflated footballs. Oh wait, they did.

[esd10]

I hate dh and believe if you pitch you should go up to the plate and swing the bat.

[Runscott]

I don't like the DH but as a fan who is not a millionaire, my opinion doesn't count. The old school baseball purist owners in the NL are dying out and the new breed will eventually vote for the DL. At some point we might get a 2nd DL for the next position where MLB is having a tough time finding defensive players who can also hit - the catcher. Laugh, but if it makes money for the players and owners it will someday happen.

[D.P.Johnson]

Never liked the DH; never will. I vote NO.

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by D.P.Johnson

Never liked the DH; never will. I vote NO.

Me too. Love NL style of ball-- double switches, cat and mouse between managers, well executed bunts, or better yet-well executed butcher plays, and the occasional pitcher who can absolutely rake (see MadBum).

Will be sad to see pitchers hitting go away completely.

[clydepepper]

Well, it sure would make managing a team in the late innings a lot less challenging. But boring as heLL!

While I personally don't believe in using the beanball (and never did when I pitched), the adoption of the DH in the NL would take any accountability away from pitchers. Hence, more 'scrums' in the middle of the field - which would actually lengthen the games at a time when attention is focused on shortening them.

This will also lead to more antsy and unruly fans - tossing 'god-knows-what' onto the field at the players and/or umpires.

Then dogs and cats would start sleeping together...

I say, discussion is fine and even healthy, but don't go down this path - for the sake of the GAME itself.
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[AGuinness]

Originally Posted by frankbmd

It is as if the Patriots and the Colts were playing a football game and one team was using deflated footballs. Oh wait, they did.

You must work for the NFL!

[AGuinness]

Sometimes it helps me to think about a topic if the situation were reversed... in this case, if the NL already had the DH (or if baseball always had DH) and the consideration were to eliminate it.

I think in that case, it would be hard to argue to go to pitchers hitting. Just look at the stats difference in this article:

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-n...inally-get-it/

I welcome the inevitable addition of the DH to the NL.