8 batters instead of a DH?

[Bobhead]

As a fan, the DH isn't so bad, but strategically, and from the player's point of view, it's pretty lame that a player does nothing but bat, for the entire game, and maybe the entire season. At the same time, pitchers don't even bother practicing batting these days, so watching them bat can be about as exciting as the Pittsburgh Pirates' 162nd game of the season.

What if, instead of a 9th hitter who batted in place of the pitcher, we just did away with the 9th hitter altogether? There would be 9 players (8 fielders and a pitcher), but the batting lineup would have only 8 names on it. We wouldn't have to watch the pitcher bat, but at the same time players like Prince Fielder and Manny Ramirez who are too lazy to learn how to actually play baseball wouldn't be rewarded for their lack of athleticism.

Thoughts? And how do you feel about the DH, anyway? Separate from this idea above, would you prefer the MLB went all AL-style or all NL-style?

[Bacong]

uh Prince is a 1B

[Marino]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

I'm old school, no DH, it takes the strategy out of baseball.

[TheNumber35]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

As a fan, the DH isn't so bad, but strategically, and from the player's point of view, it's pretty lame that a player does nothing but bat, for the entire game, and maybe the entire season.

What if, instead of a 9th hitter who batted in place of the pitcher, we just did away with the 9th hitter altogether? There would be 9 players (8 fielders and a pitcher), but the batting lineup would have only 8 names on it. We wouldn't have to watch the pitcher bat, but at the same time players like Prince Fielder and Manny Ramirez who are too lazy to learn how to actually play baseball wouldn't be rewarded for their lack of athleticism.

Thoughts? And how do you feel about the DH, anyway? Separate from this idea above, would you prefer the MLB went all AL-style or all NL-style?

Prince may not be the best 2-way player in the game...but he is by no means lazy, and is not the worst defender in the league. Also, he plays first base everyday, so idk why you pulled his name out of a hat. Putting him and Manny in the same sentence in this scenario isn't fair to Prince.

As to your second question, I like the DH personally...but I can see why people don't. I HATE (sorry lol) the idea of eliminating the 9th hitter from the lineup, its baseball and I'd rather watch the pitcher hit than eliminating a spot altogether. But I like things the way they are now, each league plays a different style and this makes the WS that much more interesting.

[55]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

Baseball is a game about 3s and 9s. No way will there ever be an 8 man batting order.

[simgamer0005]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

I prefer the NL where the pitcher bats. that's the simplest thing. you got 9 players in the field, 9 players bat. the DH came along a few decades ago for the AL. The NL-style is the way it used to be for both leagues. there's also strategy for pinch hitting in the NL where you can do a double switch. that's historic baseball. if there were only 8 batters, players will be batting too often. baseball is a game of multiples of 3. 3 outs in an inning, 3 strikes and your out, 9 innings, 9 players. DH just adds more chance of a home run and higher scoring games, since generally pitchers aren't the best hitters. yet some pitchers are good at hitting.

[Coug00]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

Where's the option to leave both leagues as is?

I enjoy the difference between leagues.

[Buckeyes_Doc]

I would be completely against 8 hitters. I'm a NL guy so I prefer no DH, but I'll take a DH every day of the week over removing the 9th batter completely.

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[BaylorBearBryant]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

MLB has had a DH in the AL and pitchers hit in the NL my entire life.

I just say we keep it as is.

[Dirty Turtles]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

I'm sure in my lifetime the NL will add a DH and it'll be a shame. It's so much fun to watch a game where strategy plays a major role.

[WatUpDoe]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

I love the DH it gives guys a job and something to do. I'm an AL guy and I think it's one thing to pitch in a game and then to come in and hit is just too much to ask for and there's not 1 pitcher who is like a consistent home run hitter.

[Bobhead]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

Prince plays first base everyday? He's only been in the American League for like 3 games. I get you guys are Tigers fans and Prince is a great hitter but really in a world without a DH there's no question he is a lot less valuable, and probably doesn't even leave Milwaukee, and I'd bet my entire allowance that if the Tigers had their way (no injuries or locked contracts), Prince would be their lifetime DH, and he will be DHing more than a few games this year.

And the multiples of 3 thing is a good point, although we already have 4 bases (if you include home plate) on the field and 4 pitches outside the strike zone for a walk.

[PlusTheHarm]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

8 batters? That's sillier than the DH rule.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

DH for both. I enjoy watching good hitters hit. I do not enjoy watching pitchers bat. The strategy aspect of it is very overrated, and also I don't like it when a good pitching performance is cut short because he hasn't even attempted to be good at batting since some time in high school.

As for 8 batters? Heck no. 27 outs = 3 times through the order for a perfect game. Nice and even.

[Chaos81]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

I'd rather watch Tony Pena Jr hit 9 times than see baseball go to 8 batters.

DH for both. I enjoy watching good hitters hit. I do not enjoy watching pitchers bat. The strategy aspect of it is very overrated, and also I don't like it when a good pitching performance is cut short because he hasn't even attempted to be good at batting since some time in high school.

As for 8 batters? Heck no. 27 outs = 3 times through the order for a perfect game. Nice and even.

EDIT: This.