8 batters instead of a DH?

[dickey1331]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

Id like to see the DH in both leagues. I think its just a matter of time before it happens.

[Perfect Zero]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

With the Astros moving to the American League, it's going to cause a problem when there is interleague play every day. One league is going to have to change, and I have a feeling that it's going to be the National League in "the best interests of Baseball." Take a look at the leagues right now. The National League just lost two talented players to AL squads. Why is that? Because the Designated Hitter is going to be the eventual landing spot when these players can't field anymore.

It's not like there isn't strategy when there is a Designated Hitter. Teams today use it as a rotational spot for a player to take a semi-day off. You can use that position to extend the longevity of a player throughout the season. And if the National League teams still want to use a pitcher to hit, there's nothing in the rulebook that says they can't. Obviously the strategic thing to do is use a hitter in the position if the rule is indeed changed though. Of course, that would mean that the National League would have to abandon its archaic ruleset and join nearly every other professional baseball league.

[LowerWolf]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

With the Astros moving and full-time interleague, it's only a matter of time until the DH is universal. They're going to have to make the rules uniform, and there's no way the players' union will sign off on eliminating the DH from the AL.

It's used at practically every level but the NL now anyway.

I've warmed up to the idea of the DH in recent years. Still not a big fan, but I don't despise it the way I used to.

[jack1535]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

I'm fine with the way it is

[Bobhead]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

It's not like there will be an increased number of interleague games. They are just spread out and divided across teams and days, instead of every team having their interleague games played simultaneously in a certain week.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

It's not like there will be an increased number of interleague games.

Ummm...pretty sure there will be.

Either way, watching pitches bat does not add strategy. It's making a team work around an automatic out. And that is flat out stupid.

[jack1535]

Ummm...pretty sure there will be.

Either way, watching pitches bat does not add strategy. It's making a team work around an automatic out. And that is flat out stupid.

It actually adds a lot of strategy. Do you pinch hit and go for runs? Do you keep that pitcher in because he is doing well on the mound and sacrifice offense? There are so many different things an NL manager can do regarding a pitcher.

[snepp]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

The "added" strategy of some situations gets offset by others when pinch hitting for the pitcher is the only obvious move to make. Sure it adds some at times, but then gets completely removed during others. There isn't anything strategic about being forced to make an obvious move.

As Tim said earlier, the "added strategy" is overrated.

[CabreraMVP]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

So if Prince Fielder wasn't lazy, he would play a different position? Where? Shortstop? Haha. He's a first basemen because he's 5'9 and huge. He's been huge forever. It's not like he's fat because he eats hot dogs all day and never leaves his couch. Anyways

I think the NL just needs to add the DH already. It would help extend the careers of guys like Damon and Guerrero who can still hit, but automatically only 15 teams are options because they can't play the field. There's just such a small market for them. And guys like Fielder and even Pujols are forced to go the AL. I can see an NL team giving them 6 years, but after that? There's no way an NL team would offer Fielder 9 years. But Detroit can get away with that because of the DH.

And plus, they always say "oh having a DH would eliminate a lot of the strategy involved in NL games". Who enjoys watching pitchers bunt runners over? Where is the strategy in having an automatic out in the every lineup? Most of these pitchers walk up to the plate, watch three strikes, and go back to the dugout. They don't care. They are paid to pitch. Hitters are paid to hit. Might as well have a position player go pitch one inning a game too.

You know what else would add strategy to the game? Letting 1 guy with a metal bat. But does that mean they should do it? The complexity of baseball, all the factors that go into every pitch, location, speed, movement, everything. There's enough strategy in the game. And having to take out your ace in the 6th inning so you could maybe score 1 run is good? Strategy? Who is that good for? The other team? The fans? No. The home team? No. It's stupid and unnecceasry and only benefits the other team, because they dont' have to face that guy the rest of the way.

I get the whole tradition thing, and keeping the integrity or whatever people say. But the AL is fine. Give the NL the same advantage of an extra hitter.

[Perfect Zero]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

It's not like there will be an increased number of interleague games. They are just spread out and divided across teams and days, instead of every team having their interleague games played simultaneously in a certain week.

That's the most likely scenario, but what happens when an American League team goes on the road to a National League stadium and is trying to make the playoffs in the last few weeks of the season? I guarantee you that if that American League team is Boston or New York, you're going to have a lot of upset fans.

[Bobhead]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

Ummm...pretty sure there will be.

It won't. Do the math. The only reason they are changing it is because there are 15 teams in each league now. Instead of all teams playing their interleague games at the same time the schedule will be like this:

- 7 games within a league (that's 14 teams NOT playing an interleague game).
- The 15th team has no team left to play in its league. That means it either has to have a day off, or has to play against the 15th team in the other league.

And the entire year schedule will just be rotations based on this concept. There won't be more interleague games. More often than not there will be at most, 1 interleague game being played at any given time.

[sydrogerdavid]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

No DH. Keep the integrity in the game.

Honestly, I don't care about the careers of old ballplayers. I think it would be better if they were forced to retire because they would not be able to field or run anymore. It would give more kids a chance.

Spoiler

If the world was coming to an end and there was a choice as to whether I had to choose DH or 8 batters, I would choose DH. 9 is the perfect number. That, IMO, would change the game too much. 9 batters, 3 strikes, 4 balls, 3 outs, 9 innings, no clock, 90 feet. All of those have been in place for over 100 years. You can't change it.

[snepp]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

Integrity? Interleague play, wild cards, multiple divisions, steroids, obnoxious blackout restrictions.


It's a multi-billion dollar business, there's no "integrity" left to lose.

[sydrogerdavid]

Re: 8 batters instead of a DH?

Integrity? Interleague play, wild cards, multiple divisions, steroids, obnoxious blackout restrictions.


It's a multi-billion dollar business, there's no "integrity" left to lose.

I came into a game where those were the norm. They don't bother me one bit.

I have no recollection of Major League Baseball before Mark McGwire and 1998.