I know in one of the leagues the pitcher can bat , but that's about it.\n\nCan American and National Play against each other?\n\nAre the Oakland A's and the Dodgers American or National?
128496
Without going into a 4-page dissertation on the history of the sport, the main difference between the two leagues is that the American League has the designated hitter rule.  This lets each team have someone in the lineup who doesn't play the field; they just bat.  Since pitchers are generally the weakest hitters, their position in the lineup is usually occupied by the designated hitter.  Since the National League doesn't have the designated hitter, pitchers bat for themselves.
627047
New York isn't the only state with 2 teams.  As so many people have pointed out, Ohio has the Indians and the Reds, Illinois has the Cubs and the White Sox, Texas has the Rangers and the Astros, Florida has the Marlins and the Devil Rays, Missouri has the Cardinals and the Royals, Pennsylvania has the Phillies and the Pirates, California's got 5 teams in the A's, Giants, Dodgers, Angels, and Padres, and a case could be made for the Washington D.C./Maryland area having two teams in the Nationals and the Orioles.\n\nIf you're talking about the city of New York, they're not the only city to have two teams either.  The Cubs and the White Sox both play in Chicago, and even Los Angeles has two teams (can anyone forget the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim?), although the Angels play down the I-5 in a completely different county.\n\nAnd wait, I'm still not done.  The Yankees have been throwing money at players for years and yet they haven't won a World Series since 2000 when they beat the Mets.\n\nDude, check your facts before you start shooting your mouth off.
204342
Even though MLB only features teams from the US and Canada many of the players are from around the world.  The World Series is a representation of the players, not necessarily the countries.
585063
Watching the Dodgers play the A's.  Score's tied 4-4 and they're headed to the bottom of the 15th inning at the moment!\n\nGo Dodgers!
663699
C) Los Angeles Dodgers\n\nJust went to a game on the 24th and will be going again on the 4th of July. Let's go Dodgers!!!
251530
I think it can certainly be a good thing... fans located in areas with teams in both leagues get to see these teams play each other in meaningful games.\n\nGrowing up as a Met fan, every year they would play the Yankees in the "Mayors Trophy" game...just one game out of the season...but the regulars wouldn't play that much... We wanted to see Tom Seaver go out there and blow the Yankees away, but of course, the Mets weren't going to waste a pitching turn by Tom Seaver to win such a 'meaningless' game.\n\nAt first, I was against interleague play, but it didn't take long for me to change my mind...\n\nPlayers used to play for one team, or in one league, their whole career... or at least for many years at a time. Players because identified as an "American Leaguer" or a "National Leaguer". The only time they would ever meet (except the World Series) was in the All Star game... and at that time, there was a genuine rivalry between the NL and the AL.  Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Johnny Bench, Billy Williams, Ernie Banks, Tom Seaver, Bob Gibson, Fergie Jenkins, Ozzie Smith, Pete Rose... these guys were all "National Leaguers".\n\nBrooks Robinson, Carl Yastrzemski, Frank Howard, Frank Robinson, Jim Palmer, Mike Cuellar, Vida Blue, Reggie Jackson...these guys were all "American Leaguers" (even though Frank Robinson came up with the Reds). \n\nIn NJ, where I grew up, we got to watch Met and Yankee games, so we got to see players from both leagues... there was also a Saturday afternoon "Game of the Week" on NBC, in addition to "Monday night baseball", also on NBC. (No cable at that time)\n\nWhen you're used to identifying players with a particular league, you don't like to see the leagues play each other, besides the W.Series and A.S. Game.\n\nBut today, the way players (even great ones) switch teams and leagues, it really doesn't matter...there's really no division of players the way there used to be... \n\nso yeah, I think Interleague play is good for baseball... \nin spite of the fact that the majority of 'inter league' matchups are pretty lame.\n\nthere aren't any such things as "National Leaguers" and "American Leaguers" any more... Randy Johnson has been a star for Seattle and Arizona... is he an A-Leaguer or a N-Leaguer? There are plenty of other examples of future Hall of Famers who split their careers between the two leagues.\n\nThe last real "American Leaguer" was Cal Ripken, Jr.\n\nAssuming he doesn't go to the A.L to DH (I doubt he will), Barry Bonds might be the last of the "National Leaguers".\n\nI'm not counting on Pujols to spend his whole career in St. Louis, as great as he is.
647707
Pujols all the way. You can talk all you want about Derrek Lee, but he hasn't gotten that team into the playoffs. Albert's actually a proven winner, and he finished ahead of Lee in quite a few categories last year. And Albert doesn't take steroids, he's always been that big. He didn't suddenly put on 15 pounds and have his head get really big.
423719
See its a meaningless game to both teams. They were just out there to have some fun. On the other hand. If it was a regular season game or playoff game it would matter and they would play extra innings.
557756
Yaa those balls are terrible to hit. Yaa Miken makes a great bat but you cant beat the classics from easton like the synergies. Yaa I dont know if they are legal in ASA, I play in Canada under NSA rules.
195584
That is why. Everyone thinks that baseball pitchers can't hit and that is not always true. I can't think of their names right now but I know that there are quite a few pitchers who can hit a baseball and some who have hit home runs. A few have even hit game winning home runs in the past. I think we need to give the pitchers a little more credit when it comes to hitting a baseball.
90953
Jose Vidro is the second baseman if completely hearty.  Soriano will spell relief for him at 2nd base.  Vidro is a much better defensive player than Soriano.  Otherwise soriano will play left field.  I truly believe he will not play a full season with the Nationals.  Time will tell.
211315
the angels should win it, but they must find a way to get their youngsters (kotchman, ervin santana) producing and their veterans (erstad, anderson) healthy.  it's a good mix and scioscia always has then playing well come september, but the athletics could give them a run for their money.  the rangers and mariners have some good players, but i'd expect the angels and a's to battle it out, with the angels finishing on top by 3 or 4 games.\n\nwe'll see, won't we?
648534
Most players like to win, so I guess that means something to the participants.  To fans?  If you prefer one league to the other, I suppose it would mean something.  Back in the 60s I favored the National League because of the Mets: for instance in 1964 when Ron Hunt was chosen to start at second base and got a hit in his first at-bat.  Hunt played almost the entire game (Hank Aaron pinch hit for him in the bottom of the ninth and struck out).  Then Johnny Callison of the Phillies hits this towering home run off Dick "The Monster" Radatz of the Red Sox for three runs and the game.  It was played at Shea Stadium, and Casey Stengel was in one of the coaching boxes.  All in all, it was a great day to be a Mets fan and to root for the National League.  (And to not quake in your shoes when Roberto Clemente or Willie Mays batted, because they were on your side for a change.)\n\nAnd it was a great day to be a Mariners fan and to root for the American League in 2001 as Ichiro did his thing (a hit and a stolen base), Mike Cameron hit a double and three Mariners pitchers were absolutely untouchable.  Oh, yeah, and a fellow from another team named Ripken (wink) hit a two-run home run.  All at Safeco Field, where they even cheered A-Rod once (for offering Ripken an inning at shortstop).
41413
Well first of all its sure not borinG!! iLL TELL YOU THAT. There are 9 innings(depends if both teams are tied then they keep playing till they are untied) The point of the game is to hit the ball and score as many runs and dont make errors. Catch the ball and make sure to win.\n\n\nLove the baseball!!!\n\n\n\n\nGo DODGERS!!!!!!
284479
A rivalry is a rivalry. On any given day, if they are playing each other, anything can happen. \n\nAs far as MLB as a whole is concerned, I say the Yankees are better.
175566
pitchers usally focus on more talents then on what they are not so good at. pitchers spend most of their times working on controling the ball and their strength when they throw teh ball. tehy dont have the time to work on hitting. also, they rarely have to bat. also, players that are in teh AL are not a good hitter than players from NL because of the DH rule. But when they have to bat, they wont really do anything. They'll probably strike out or ground out. there are some exceptions, but there are rarely any pitchers that can hit
598899
Most NL clubs have the home dugouts on the 3rd base side, in the AL, first base side., which works out well in the All-Star game. There are no hard and fast rules.