Did you know that there were different rules for the different Major League Baseball leagues? Sure.
In one league you have to tag the base after a pop fly is caught before advancing. In the other you don’t have to.
In one league the third foul ball hit is considered the third strike and an out. In the other they only count the first two as strikes - up to two strikes.
In one league it is four balls for a walk. In the other league it is three balls for a walk.
Okay, I’m just kidding. But to be honest, there IS one rule that is different between the leagues:
In the American League you can substitute having your pitcher hit for what is called a Designated Hitter. In the National League the pitcher has to hit.
Really. That’s it. The only difference between the two leagues is called the Designated Hitter Rule.
And it is dumb.
Not only is it dumb, but it gives an advantage to the National League team. And I’ll explain why.
The argument over which league is right (pitcher should hit or not) is older than the tale of the Beauty and the Beast (with respect to Alan Merken, Angela Lansbury, and Howard Ashman). And who is right is simple: The American League is right. And I’ll prove it.
The way the rule is enforced is based on the ballpark of the home team. If the home team is part of the National League, both teams - regardless of league - have to have their pitcher in the batting line up. If the home team is part of the American League, both teams - regardless of league - use a designated hitter.
Now, in the National League, the pitchers take batting practice on a regular basis. They are used to swinging a bat because they are forced to swing a bat. In the American League, the only time a pitcher takes batting practice is if they are playing against a National League team in a National League park. That means the pitchers are not used to swinging the bat.
That is one reason the National League has the advantage.
Another reason is that when the National League plays in an American League park they take the best hitter that is not regularly in that days line up and make them the Designated Hitter. And I’ve never seen it where they use their pitcher in the Designated Hitter role.
I’m an American League fan (#RallyTogether), I believe that it is in the best interest of everyone that the pitcher does not hit. Outside of the catcher, the pitcher is involved in EVERY play that happens when they are pitching. The other players only have to “do something” when the ball is hit to them. And as for the catcher, that person is covered in protective padding to reduce the chance of injury.
Come to think of it, outside of the umpires, only the catcher wears protective gear. The pitcher? Na da. Sure, there may be an elbow guard or shin guard for the batter, but that is minor.
I’ve seen players at the plate get hit by a pitch in the wrist.
(Above: Justin Turner hit by pitch 20180319)
How would you like to have your pitcher (who’s very livelihood is based on throwing a ball at high speeds accurately, WITHOUT hitting the batter) be the one hit by a wild pitch? It’s bad enough for a pitcher to get hit by a ball coming off a bat!
(Above: Carlos "Cookie" Carrasco exits the ballgame 2018)
To be perfectly honest, I believe the National League agrees with the Designated Hitter rule and would do it if they were allowed. And here is how to prove me right or wrong:
Change the rule. Instead of the home team’s ballpark determining whether or not a Designated Hitter can be used, make it optional based on the league. So, when in a National League park, the National League pitchers will hit, and the American League can use a Designated Hitter. When in an American League park, the American League will use a Designated Hitter, and the National League can still make their pitchers hit.
I can guarantee that if that was the way the rule worked, the National League would GLADLY use the Designated Hitter, which would prove they really DON’T believe that pitchers should hit.
Why? Because they don’t want their pitchers injured either.
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© Emittravel 2018
