DH to the NL??

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by packs

I think the designated hitter is fine for the AL because it changes the game for half the league. That makes watching an AL game and an NL game different. That makes things exciting. That makes inter-league games fun. That makes the World Series more fun.

But if everything was the same you lose a lot of intrigue and if baseball is looking to be more exciting, then cutting out an intriguing part of the game is the wrong direction to go in.

Same for me, except the part in red above Since strategy is so different in each league, I don't think it's right in a best of 7 series for all the marbles, to put one of the teams at a disadvantage every game. The home field thing is the only disadvantage they need to go through. I don't mind it so much in inter-league games because you have 162 games total, so the effect isn't as big.

[dgo71]

Ian and Bill, that's exactly the kind of explanation I was looking for. I just kept hearing blanket statements like "The DH sucks!" with little other explanation behind it, so it led me to believe it was simply out of rigidity that people didn't want changes made in the game. I now understand a lot better why some folks are so against the DH position, and see how some would feel it equates to the rules implemented to protect a quarterback that have essentially turned the NFL into a two-hand touch league. I think it was Maddux that said "chicks dig the longball." Points well taken and I appreciate the time put into the thoughtfulness of your responses!

[itjclarke]

Originally Posted by dgo71

I think it was Maddux that said "chicks dig the longball."

Haha, possibly the greatest sports commercial ever. Maddux smacking Glavine in the abs over and over with a bat, "step into it Alice!".

Yes, agreed, good banter back and forth on the topic and appreciate all points of view. I agree with an idea someone else mentioned, baseball is great in that there's enough fan passion (and attention to detail) you can debate something like this forever.

[the 'stache]

Originally Posted by dgo71

Ian and Bill, that's exactly the kind of explanation I was looking for. I just kept hearing blanket statements like "The DH sucks!" with little other explanation behind it, so it led me to believe it was simply out of rigidity that people didn't want changes made in the game. I now understand a lot better why some folks are so against the DH position, and see how some would feel it equates to the rules implemented to protect a quarterback that have essentially turned the NFL into a two-hand touch league. I think it was Maddux that said "chicks dig the longball." Points well taken and I appreciate the time put into the thoughtfulness of your responses!

Thumbs up, Derek.

[chaddurbin]

having different rules for the 2 leagues is a terrible idea, especially in the modern big free agent signings. all the big and long hitters' contracts are going to the AL ie pujols arod miggy because they can hide the declining phase of the contract with the DH. it's an unfair balance skewed toward the AL. either get rid of the DH or have it in both leagues.

my preference of course is to have the DH. you can talk about strategies etc as is pertains to pitchers hitting but half the leagues utilizes real time data and they basically make in-game decisions for the managers anyway, even down to which relief pitcher or loogy facing a particular hitter. it's great seeing bum swinging from his heels until he strains his back whiffing on a fastball, and gonna be out for 3 weeks!