OT: Will the NL adopt the DH soon?

[MartyFromCANADA]

The strategy argument is complete BS. 99% of the time, the pinch hitter is a better batter than the pitcher. So if it seems the pitcher is weakening, you pinch hit, and if the pitcher is dominating, he stays in. NO strategy there. And the double-switch, really.

I look at it this way: If a position player is out a few games, clubs send him to the minors to get in a few AB's. If this is the case, all NL starting pitchers should be sent to their minor league clubs to see live pitching on their days off.

The game is too specialized, and watching a pitcher's at bat is one of the worst, and most embarrassing parts of baseball. The only players who truly like this archaic rule are the NL starters themselves. (for easy outs)

LONG LIVE THE DH!

[Tabe]

I'm in favor of most of these rules. Pitch clocks? Yes, please. Reducing pitching changes by having a minimum number of batters faced? Yes, please. One rule for DH, even if it's not the one I want? Yes, please. Draft penalties for teams that intentionally tank and don't spend money? Yes, please.

[packs]

I find the minimum batters faced rule counter intuitive to the union's cause too. There are lefty's who make their living pitching to one guy. If you force that guy to pitch to 3 batters, it should be assumed effectiveness will drop and that guy will probably be out of a job.

It also seems silly to me that baseball, a sport without a game clock, would be so concerned with a fictional game clock.

[Peter_Spaeth]

How about 5 or 6 foul balls and you're out? To a point it makes for good drama with a batter battling a pitcher, but past that point it's just trying to increase pitch counts and the delay is annoying.

[icollectDCsports]

When I go to a ballgame or watch one on TV, I do not want anything to do with watching a pitch clock -- or even just knowing in my mind that one is ticking. It's just so contrary to the essence of the game, in my opinion.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by icollectDCsports

When I go to a ballgame or watch one on TV, I do not want anything to do with watching a pitch clock -- or even just knowing in my mind that one is ticking. It's just so contrary to the essence of the game, in my opinion.

If you watch films of old ballgames, pitchers got the ball back from the catcher, looked in for the sign, and threw the next one. In that context, no clock was needed. But now with seemingly every pitch turned into a mini drama of waiting and waiting and waiting, I believe change is necessary.

[xplainer]

Ok, my two cents. Only mine.

I have not watched a game in two years. I do check the scores and the standings.
The game is losing me.
No breakup play a second base. No crashing into to home as the ball gets there.
It is changing and not for me.
The DH is cheap. Since Ron Bloomberg, no pitcher in the AL had to bat (regular season) after plunking a batter or pitching him tight. That is gone in the AL and apparently, in the NL soon. It also removes the sac bunt from the pitcher and a variety of things.
Changed the DL list to a Inactive List is just PC move. Ridiculous, whatever.

I guess next is pinch runner where they stand by home plate until the ball is hit, then run. Check instant replay to see if he left the circle before the ball was hit by the batter.

MLB is losing me. But that is just me.

[Peter_Spaeth]

There is little more fundamental in baseball than the expectation that a player both bats and fields. This is not football. The AL has had the DH for nearly 4 decades. I see no evidence that AL games are better than NL games. Bag it.

[insidethewrapper]

Baseball rules are interesting. It's the pitchers advantage for the first 2 foul balls ( called strikes) and then it's the batters advantage the rest of the way ( 10+) foul balls. Unless you foul a bunt, and then it is a strike 3. Strange.

Speed of game ( time) would be solved if the batter had to stay in the batter's box and not adjust his batting gloves after every pitch. They foul a ball and walk 5-10 feet from the plate. 300 pitches a game ( save 3 sec ea) that's 900 sec. or 15 minutes and I think most would be happy with a 2hr-45min game.

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by insidethewrapper

Baseball rules are interesting. It's the pitchers advantage for the first 2 foul balls ( called strikes) and then it's the batters advantage the rest of the way ( 10+) foul balls. Unless you foul a bunt, and then it is a strike 3. Strange.

Speed of game ( time) would be solved if the batter had to stay in the batter's box and not adjust his batting gloves after every pitch. They foul a ball and walk 5-10 feet from the plate. 300 pitches a game ( save 3 sec ea) that's 900 sec. or 15 minutes and I think most would be happy with a 2hr-45min game.

Pitchers are just as guilty. In between pitches they walk around, meditate, and check their email,