What is the difference in Baseball between the American League and the National Leage?
143598
The only rule difference is that the AL uses a designated hitter (DH), a batter that hits but does not play the field.  Generally, the pitcher in the AL does not bat to keep the lineup at nine players.\n     From a strategy point of view there are some differences.  AL teams generally rely on power to score runs while NL teams rely on "little ball" - bunting, stealing, moving runners over, etc. This is just a general rule, there are exceptions. There is also a change in pitching styles as far as what pitches a pitcher will throw in certain counts.  Also, the national league has a reputation as a "fastball" league, meaning you can almost always expect a fastball in certain counts.  AL pitchers will "mix it" up a little, they have to because of all the power hitters.  This is why batters will struggle when switching leagues via free agency or trade.  Keep in mind also that the bottom of NL lineups are weaker because the pitcher bats.  You can pitch around a pitcher, but some number nine hitters in the AL can hit.
1185976
It should be a good test for both teams. The National League has been rather weak this year, with the Mets being the standout team. St. Louis being a close runner-up. The American League boasts about 6 good teams, including the battle for the AL East between Boston and the Yankees. This could be a statement series.
1009568
The difference is that MLB is a real sport;\n\nrounders is just a throw away game.
180404
Baseball makes more sense to Americans
74090
Baseball is played for nine innings.  Each inning has a top and a bottom, the home team always batting in the bottom.  If, at the end of the top of the ninth the home team is winning, the game is over.  All they can do is add to their lead, so there is no need to continue the game.  The home team won.  If, however, there is a tie at the end of the ninth, extra innings will be played.  The game will not end until a team has a better score at the end of any given inning.  These rules have never been any different to my knowledge.
558034
The above answer is describes our standard head-to-head game. But there are two other variations as well. To describe the difference, let me explain how the standard game is scored.\n\nFor a 10 stat league, say you win 6 and lose 3 of the stat categories and tie in 1 of them. Your record for that week is then 6-3-1.  Records are built up over the season each week. And then you're ranked by win percentage.\n\nFor Plus leagues, we have two more scoring types - we have a "head to head" One Win league as well. Where instead of getting a 6-3-1 record, you'd just be 1-0-0 that week, because you won more stats than your opponent.\n\nFinally, we have a points based head-to-head league. Where instead of raw stats, you get points for each stat. Maybe 10 points for a home run, 3 points per RBI. Then your points are totaled up for the week and whoever has more points, wins the week (1-0).\n\nSo those are the 3 scoring types we have for head-to-head leagues.
692717
Baseball is a little more laid back.  There's such long periods of inactivity, it's hard to stay riled up.  \n\nGo to a game when it's crunch time, and the outcome of the game really matters.  You'll see a lot more hootin' and hollerin'.
850427
There are leagues that are just pick-em win or lose and not against the spread. They are compared to those.
865125
I'd have to say it's easier for a hitter to switch from the NL to the AL because in the AL there is a designated hitter. This gives more power to the lineup and puts less pressure on the hitter to produce. In the NL you only have 8 legitimate bats in the lineup if it is a better team but in the AL you could have 9. This puts less pressure on the hitter to produce and makes the switch easier. If you switch to the NL and you are a designated hitter you will also have to play the field and there are less bats in the lineup.
440792
All teams play 162 games in a season. Also there are divisions in baseball with 4-6 teams in them, and teams play divisional opponents more often. Also, there is the national and american leauges and there are only a couple interleague games each season. If you want to see the schedules, division ranking exceterta check out ESPN, they also have career stats for all teh players.
364632
The 2 diferent leagues came from being rivals in the late 1800's/early 1900's.\n\nThe National League is considered the "senior circuit"\n\nThe DH was supposed to be a one year experiment in 1973 (to boost offense), and they decided to keep it. It was the AL's way of trying to get more people interested.\n\nI would love to see an end to the DH, but the players union has gotten too big for it's britches, and probably won't happen.\n\nIn my opinion, the DH taints baseball and keeps old players around that should have retired years ago.
1058769
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.
1070380
Right now the only nation that can really compete is Japan. In Japan, players must play 8 years with their team before they can be free agents and sign in the U.S. This rule keeps their league strong, and in tact. We saw how good their players are in the World Baseball Classic and I agree, you cannot call it a "World" Series if you do not include Japan and at least the Cuban champ. \n\nThe Dominican, Venezuelan, Puerto Rican, and Mexican leagues all have major and minor league players, and are considered Winter Leagues, or essentially a head start on the Spring Training.
458121
All of them are American but my favorite is Baseball. Anyone can learn the rules and play. With the others it is too expensive for most to participate.
1058281
In the ALCS, the teams are going to be the Tigers against the Redsox. In the NLCS, the teams will be the Mets against the Reds. In the World Series, I say its going to be the Tigers vs. Mets. Tigers win.
598370
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.
179051
Major League Baseball has a franchise in Houston - The Astros.  They play in the National League.