The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

[bukktown]

Contrary to popular opinion,

This is from Bill James,
"the D.H. rule, far from draining strategy out of the game, simply removes from the game the most trite, predictable, nonstrategic part of it.

Strategy exists only in making choices, only in the face of options. The National League game confronts the NL manager with frequent no-option situations, situations in which he must bunt or he must pinch hit.

The American League game allows a true option, and thus true strategy. That is clearly reflected in the fact that the American League has clear groups of big-inning teams and one-run teams, while the National League does not."

Basically Bill is saying that, in the AL the manager decides on the offensive strategy. But in the NL, the pitcher being forced to bat decides the offensive strategy for the manager.

Not only that, but in the AL, taking a pitcher out of the game is purely up to the manager. In the NL, the pitcher having to bat often decides for the manager when there will be a pitching change.

The AL is the more pure league as far as strategy is concerned according to the great baseball mind of Bill James.

[Gary Armida]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

I respect Bill James a great deal, and there is an element of truth to this, but I feel like he is running out of things to disect in baseball. This is a weak topic for him to put out there.

[bukktown]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

I should have stated that it was from 1984.

And I brought this up because in a different thread about Barry Zito, I had mentioned that the NL was a weaker offensive league and about 10 straight replies to that was how the AL has the DH and there is no strategy involved in the AL.

I do like Bill James logic though because rarely is logic applied to baseball conversation. We always learn the game from conventional wisdom and hold that as truth without questioning it.

His argument here is pretty basic, but it makes you think.

[SPTO]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

Hmm I don't know. The NL style of baseball was the style they've been playing for over a 100 years when they instituted the DH rule so how the hell could the DH make the game more "pure"?

I think the NL really exposes the managers who aren't very tactical or strategy inclined. You have to have a certain understanding of the nuance of the game and when to do double switches, bunts, sac squeeze plays etc etc.

Felipe Alou was a grand wizard at managing when he was with the Expos and I often loved watching the way he'd manage a game whenever I got to chance to watch an Expos telecast.

[dkgojackets]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

I disagree.

[CMH]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

Don't underestimate the strategy involved in pitching to a DH.

Opposing teams will argue that facing a DH forces strategical pitching changes.

I'd be willing to bet (no money) that there are more lefty/righty situational substitions in an AL game.

[bukktown]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

Hmm I don't know. The NL style of baseball was the style they've been playing for over a 100 years when they instituted the DH rule so how the hell could the DH make the game more "pure"?

It didn't. But Bill's point is that the DH adds more strategy to the game.
I personally think that there is a lot of strategy in the double switch. The DH takes that away.

But the offensive strategy of playing for one-run (bunt/hit and run) vs. playing for the big inning (Earl Weaver 3-run HR style) is more varied in the AL. In the NL, its more or less a one-run offense.

[bukktown]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

Don't underestimate the strategy involved in pitching to a DH.

Opposing teams will argue that facing a DH forces strategical pitching changes.

I'd be willing to bet (no money) that there are more lefty/righty situational substitions in an AL game.

Good point. I bet there is a stat somewhere about that.

[CMH]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

Good point. I bet there is a stat somewhere about that.

I think it'll be tough to find without someone doing the study on their own.

There are likely more pinch hitters in an NL game. That is without a doubt. We probably even see more relief pitchers in an NL game, as well.

I could never argue that the NL game has less strategy than the AL game.

But, if there were a way to show the number of substitutions made primarily to have a lefty vs. lefty/righty vs. righty situation, I'd give the AL the nod.

I only say that because teams are usually trying to cancel out the DH and the deeper lineups in the AL by using left/right splits against the opposing team.

In the NL, teams are worried about saving their pinch hitters and relief pitchers for double switches so they are less likely to bring in a pinch hitter or a relief pitcher for a left/right split situation, not to mention the lineups are weaker in the NL.

[homer73]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

Coming from an Orioles fan who never really watched much NL ball untill my wife started making me watch Phillies games... there is no way that the DH increases strategy.
For one thing you never have to worry about where the pitcher is hitting when you pull them, you just yank 'em out whenever you like. Yeah, theres probably more lefty/righty pitching matchups but its because you dont have to put much thought into it.. are they rested? or ready? go to it...


I've seen the light... whenever I play a game of baseball on pc or console, out goes the DH.

[bukktown]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

.
I've seen the light... whenever I play a game of baseball on pc or console, out goes the DH.

Really? I hate when I have to go to a NL park in my seasons because its like I have two #9 hitters. I guess I am still living in the dark world of DH's.

[Scottdau]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

I respect Bill James a great deal, and there is an element of truth to this, but I feel like he is running out of things to disect in baseball. This is a weak topic for him to put out there.

I agree it is BS. The DH rule is a joke period, but oh well if people can't see that, that is cool. It is easy to manage a game with a DH. So I have no idea what this guy is saying. The funny thing is the guys here that have their teams in the NL are going to agree with me, maybe a few wont. But still you know what I am mean. Just like AL guys will agree with this writer! lol Man got to love sports!

[bukktown]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

The funny thing is the guys here that have their teams in the NL are going to agree with me, maybe a few wont. But still you know what I am mean. Just like AL guys will agree with this writer! lol Man got to love sports!

Bill James is a KC Royals fan. Your so right, we defend our own. lol.

[Scottdau]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

Bill James is a KC Royals fan. Your so right, we defend our own. lol.

It is just how it is. I don't like the DH, but I am sure it has more to do with the fact I am Giants fan! lol

[dieselboy]

Re: The DH rule INCREASES strategy --Bill James

I'm a Mariners fan and I dislike the DH rule.

If there was ever a team that needed a DH, it was the recent Seattle Mariners.