What Should MLB do with the DH rule?

Question

What do you think Major League Baseball should do about the DH rule, and why? There has been some talk recently of having the NL accepting the rule, or the AL getting rid of the rule? Or should it just be left alone, and the rule is only in place in American League ballparks?

(As a Cub fan, I'm personally against the DH rule, because Carlos Zambrano and many other Cub pitchers can get good wood on the ball)

Answer 1

Either both leagues use it or nobody does. My personal opinion is nobody should.

At any rate, it is utterly ridiculous for the leagues to play by different rules. This nonsense has been going on for 35 years now, and it's time they got their act together.

Answer 2

I think they should get rid of the DH rule.

Answer 3

I am an old school NL'er. I say get rid of it in the AL. Without the DH, it makes managers think more and there is more strategy involved. ex: double switch

Answer 4

The DH should be eliminated from all levels of baseball.  I am somewhat of a purist when it comes to baseball.  It eliminated a lot of strategy from the game.

Also the DH allows some players to stay around long after they should have retired since they can't play n the field anymore they stay and just bat.  Also the DH cheapens getting into the 3,000 hit club.  In the NL there were 20 years 1978-1998 between Lou Brock and Tony Gwinn getting 3,000 hits. The AL had a lot of players doing it because they were able to DH.  Without it they would not have had 3,000 hits.

Eliminate the stupid rule!

Answer 5

"Everyone in the world disagrees with me, including some managers, but I think managing in the American League is much more difficult for that very reason (having the designated hitter). In the National League, my situation is dictated for me. If I'm behind in the game, I've got to pinch hit. I've got to take my pitcher out. In the American League, you have to zero in. You have to know exactly when to take them out of there. In the National League, that's done for you." - Jim Leyland

Strategy is all about WHEN you do something, not if. You're forced to make moves in the NL; the circumstances decide that for you.

Answer 6

they should keep it in the al only

it helps separate the al and nl

also so pitchers prefer to hit and others would rather have others hit for them

Answer 7

I think the rule should stay as is.  Many NL pitchers (Zambrano, Arroyo, Cain) are very good hitters, but AL pitchers won't get used to it.

Answer 8

Take it away from the AL. The DH rule makes the managing position too simple. All they have to do is go by the books. Ad in interleague games, the AL has such an advantage having a designated DH while an NL team has to pick a guy who most likely has never done it before.

Answer 9

I say keep it because it it allows NL pitchers strut their sub-par batting skills, and  it creates a competition between the leagues. also, the AL becomes the offensive league, drawing fans to see the dh's like David Ortiz crush the ball, and with revenue sharing, having lopsided attendence isn't such a bad thing anymore. If they decide to dump it, i'd suggest a 5 season trial period to guage what's happening with trends.

Answer 10

I believe the Nl should adapt the DH rule. Simply for the fact it is what is best for the pitchers. Because pitchers are there to pitch not really to bat and if their hand gets hit by a ball it could end their career. Also they often get taken out of games to early for a pinch hitter.

Answer 11

Keep it the way it is.  

Answer 12

Throw it in the trash.  Working around the pitcher in the batting order creates more strategy and execution of baseball fundamentals....and from time to time you get a pitcher who can actually swing the bat.

I like both leagues, and as a White Sox fan, the DH has helped my team score a lot of runs...but baseball is purer w/pitchers batting.

Answer 13

Keep it like it is.  It's always fun to see the AL pitchers trying to hit when playing on the road against an NL team.  For those NL pitchers, like Zambrano, who can crush the ball, they benefit from it.  Zambrano would probably pitch and DH on AL team anyway.  I hope he goes to the White Sox soon!

Answer 14

Keep it and make the NL use it too. It protects pitchers from getting injured at the plate.They don't need any added stress on their elbows or shoulders.

It also keeps other teams from purposely from hitting the batter to get him out of a game.Most can't hit anyway so why not use a DH.