Why does the Amercian League has a DH and the National League doesn't?
487062
The reason is Major League Baseball rule 6.10 and it leaves it upto the League to decide to use or not use the rule.  The National League chooses not to use the rule as it bucks baseball tradition.  The younger American League is not so stooped in tradition and has used the rule since the 70's!The rule was put in initially to see if the offensive performance of a team could be enhanced by using a hitter in place of the pitcher who typically doesn't hit for average or power. \n\n6.10\nAny League may elect to use the Designated Hitter Rule. (a) In the event of inter league competition between clubs of Leagues using the Designated Hitter Rule and clubs of Leagues not using the Designated Hitter Rule, the rule will be used as follows: 1. In World Series or exhibition games, the rule will be used or not used as is the practice of the home team. 2. In All Star games, the rule will only be used if both teams and both Leagues so agree. (b) The Rule provides as follows: A hitter may be designated to bat for the starting pitcher and all subsequent pitchers in any game without otherwise affecting the status of the pitcher(s) in the game. A Designated Hitter for the pitcher must be selected prior to the game and must be included in the lineup cards presented to the Umpire in Chief. The designated hitter named in the starting lineup must come to bat at least one time, unless the opposing club changes pitchers. It is not mandatory that a club designate a hitter for the pitcher, but failure to do so prior to the game precludes the use of a Designated Hitter for that game. Pinch hitters for a Designated Hitter may be used. Any substitute hitter for a Designated Hitter becomes the Designated Hitter. A replaced Designated Hitter shall not re enter the game in any capacity. The Designated Hitter may be used defensively, continuing to bat in the same position in the batting order, but the pitcher must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive player, unless more than one substitution is made, and the manager then must designate their spots in the batting order. A runner may be substituted for the Designated Hitter and the runner assumes the role of Designated Hitter. A Designated Hitter may not pinch run. A Designated Hitter is "locked" into the batting order. No multiple substitutions may be made that will alter the batting rotation of the Designated Hitter. Once the game pitcher is switched from the mound to a defensive position this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. Once a pinch hitter bats for any player in the batting order and then enters the game to pitch, this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. Once the game pitcher bats for the Designated Hitter this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. (The game pitcher may only pinch hit for the Designated Hitter). Once a Designated Hitter assumes a defensive position this move shall terminate the Designated Hitter role for the remainder of the game. A substitute for the Designated Hitter need not be announced until it is the Designated Hitter's turn to bat.
1133175
It's not mandatory to have a DH... in the olden days, some managers (after their teams clinched the division title) would sometimes have their pitchers bat late in the season in order to give them a few at bats, in case the team got to the World Series (in which case the pitcher would have to hit in some games).\n\nTwo things to keep in mind about the DH...\n\n1) If a manager elects not to start a game with a DH (but instead, have his pitcher hit), then he can not use a DH at all in that game.\n\n2) A DH may only hit for a pitcher.
314957
Both. Injuires to the Cubs comes every year, and every year the orginazation does something to cover it up. Prior and Wood have seem the DL over 15 times together. Thats outrageous! D.Lee was a terrible freak accident that one would pray never to happen, but it did. Fortunatly they still have Aramis Ramirez, and 2 great pitchers is Zambrano, and Maddux. The big "if" seems to always lingere around the Cubs. "If he wasn't injured", "If he stayed healthy" "If we are cursed"
182440
Most leagues start 9-15 hitters and 6-10 pitchers. The hitters play every day, but the pitchers go every four or five days. Since their opportunities are smaller, a good (or bad) pitcher can more significantly impact the staff. On the other hand, a couple good hitters could easily be offset if the rest of your team is about average.\n\nBottom line, you need both to succeed. But if you don't have a couple solid pitchers, you aren't going to make much noise.
39376
although statistics would say the a/l, i think it's the n/l.  american leaguers seem too cauky... my best team in the n/l is the L.A. DODGERS!!!  it comes from being born into a dodger loving family...cuz, i know they CAN suck sumtimes!!!\nbut, i love 'em and i'm willing to admit it!!!
244935
The DH is not real baseball never was
536159
I like interleague play.  My only complaint is that they should move one of the NL teams to AL, balance out the leagues and then play it like the NFL does with interconference games.  I'm a huge Met fan.  Is it fair when you are battling a team like Florida that they get 6 gms a year against TB and we get 6 gms against the Yankees?  They should have five teams per division per league, have 18 games against division foes and then 6 apiece against everybody else, including rotating interleague play, so that for example everyone in NL East plays everyone in AL East 6 times.
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.
251241
It is all in the grip.  I think the only difference between a major league change-up and any other is being able to locate them consistently.  The mechanics is the same.\n\nSee the link below for some illustrations.
120921
No, the sport has spread enough that the USA would be slaughtered by a team of World All Stars.  The World Baseball Classic is different because each nation has some players but to consolidate them all against the USA wouldn't work so lets stick to NL vs AL.  I don't care for the homefield in the WS stipulation though.  The team with the best record should have homefield with the exception of a Division winner vs the Wild Card the division winner should always have homefield.
1104890
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.
1057069
The main reason there is no cap in baseball, unlike the NFL, is that baseball teams have their own independent television contracts.  The NFL has a league TV contracts that all teams split evenly.  The Yankees, for example, own their own network so they get more TV money than any other team.  The Mets and red Sox's will also soon have their own networks.  The KC Royals on the other hand, don't even have a TV contract, at least they didn't for the 2005 season.  That's why the Yankees can afford a high payroll and the Royals can't.
464883
AL is the better league because it is the most competitive.  All 3 divisions in the AL will be competitive while you look in the NL where the West is up for grabs and probably St.Louis and NY Mets will win their divisions.  In the AL there is more than a couple of teams in each division who can beat you and probably the divisions won't be decided until the final weeks of the season
913154
your league is tied to your id, not your computer...it's the internet, wake up....\njust login and go to the fantasy sports homepage...and welcome to the 21st century...\n-nny
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.
1074202
The question can be legitimately asked of many players, such as Smith, Tony Oliva, Ron Santo and so on.  The reason?  It is very hard to get in the Hall at all, and the rules have become even more restrictive of late.  I disagree with this, in part because of the capriciousness of those with the votes.  Why exclude Pete Rose and include Juan Marichal, whose most famous accomplishment was hitting Johnny Roseboro over the head with a bat?  (Roseboro forgave him later, and no one disputes that Marichal was a great pitcher.)  Some of the tales of voting by the sports writers are equally uninspiring.  But alas you and I have no say in these matters.
850469
Some cities tire of losing minor league teams and pressure the parent team to either improve conditions or else.\n\nThe Baltimore Orioles lost their 40 year relationship with the Rochester Red Wings for the above reason.  Other parent teams have followed suit - creating new affiliates and some confusion.