NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

[crash2772]

Off and on other the years there's been a lot of talk about the National League adding the DH. Based on recent news it seems like there might be a new push at the end of the current CBA in 2016.

I know in Franchise mode you can set the DH settings for the leagues in advance. However, with the option to carry over saved franchises to the next years game, have the developers given any thought to the ability to toggle these settings after you've started a franchise? I haven't seen anything in the reports, but I'm sure I could have missed something.

Its not a game breaker, but it would be great if we could turn the DH on for the National League in future games if we are carrying over a save from the previous game where there was no DH.

[A_Quiet_Pro]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I for one would love to see the RL MLB NL add the DH. Pitchers hitting adds a new dimension of managing, but kills the excitement of the game for the fans. A DH that can actually hit, and make things happen is much better.

[Blzer]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I would turn my NL fandom away if they included a DH in real life... but the game's option inclusion being set in place beforehand would be completely acceptable by my standards, no question.

[redsox4evur]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I wish they make these changes that you are talking about. Being able to change those settings after a franchise has started.

And the MLB should do it as well. Right now the game is lacking offense, you can't deny this. This is one way for the league to start to increase its viewership. Right now the MLB is a pitcher's game. Most fans want to see runs being scored and offense. Look at the NFL, after the Seahawks won the SB using a defensive minded team, they went and told referees to start calling more pass interference penalties and other calls that benefit the WR over a CB.

[Bobhead]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I'm not a fan of pitchers batting, but a DH is an even worse system imo.

I'd much rather just see neither (only 8 batters), or some other solution altogether.

Anyway, I actually thought you could still turn on and off the DH even after starting a franchise. I swear I've seen it in the general mode settings somewhere.

I'm sure SCEA thinks about this stuff though. If an NL DH comes to pass, it will probably be made the default option for carryover saves.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

IRL IMO the DH is an abomination unto man.
Surely this is a sign of the impending apocalypse.
In video games, a DH is easier to live with. I'm sure something could be patched in if this took was voted in right before a games release, whether it be Show 16, or 17.
Back to IRL the DH is the one thing that truly differentiates the NL from the AL.
Might as well just have one league with two conferences & even more interleague play if pitchers are done with hitting, I mean batting. And bunting.

[eric7064]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I would absolutely hate it if the NL added the DH. I love how much more managing it takes in the NL. Do I pinch hit and try to drive these runs in even though the pitcher is on fire. That's managing. Not the **** the AL does.

[actionhank]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I would absolutely hate it if the NL added the DH. I love how much more managing it takes in the NL. Do I pinch hit and try to drive these runs in even though the pitcher is on fire. That's managing. Not the **** the AL does.

That what i always liked. The strategy behind it. Do i leave in my relief pitcher who is just mowing guys down, and go to my already tired/not as good other relief pitcher, just to try and get the run from 2nd in with a pinch hitter, or do i just try for it, and leave him in to keep the deficit where it is?

I always enjoyed the little chess match. Granted, I'm a Brewers fan, so maybe not watching the AL has biased my choice.

[bronxbombers21325]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I think it is inevitable that the NL will eventually implement the DH rule, probably sooner than later. Honestly it doesn't make sense to have both leagues do different things. It's like if the NBA decided the Eastern conference wasn't going to have a 3 point line, but the Western Conference was. I'm hoping that with new continued saves that maybe it will let us have the option to switch at the end of each season, so when they finally do, do it we can make the change as well. I've even thought about going ahead and starting it. I wait for opening day rosters, and then after that do not follow the real MLB season at all. So my franchise doesn't have to mimic what is going on in real life.

[OhioCub]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

That what i always liked. The strategy behind it. Do i leave in my relief pitcher who is just mowing guys down, and go to my already tired/not as good other relief pitcher, just to try and get the run from 2nd in with a pinch hitter, or do i just try for it, and leave him in to keep the deficit where it is?

I always enjoyed the little chess match. Granted, I'm a Brewers fan, so maybe not watching the AL has biased my choice.

I actually came up with an idea that incorporates a DH and leaves all the strategy and maybe more in the game. Basically, your DH is tied to your starting pitcher. In other words, as soon as you take your starting pitcher out of the game you're also taking your DH out of the game. After that, either you have to let the relief pitchers bat or use a pinch hitter. If you so choose, you can sub your DH in for one of your fielder's (a double switch) but he could be a defensive liability while you lose a better fielder.

Here's a scenario, your starter's laboring, runners on first and second, 1 out, you're down 1 run and in the next half inning your DH, who's one of your best hitters but can't play the field well is due up 3rd. If you pull your pitcher you either have to put him in the field somewhere and risk a possibly catastrophic error or pinch hit for him. Or you can roll the dice and leave your starter in and hope for the double play ball. What's the call, skip?

Anyway, the pros of this are that you don't lose any strategy in the game, your starting pitchers, the highest paid ones, don't risk potential injury trying to bunt, potential for more offense and excitement and it creates more jobs for aging vets who can't move around in the field very well anymore.

[Bobhead]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I actually came up with an idea that incorporates a DH and leaves all the strategy and maybe more in the game. Basically, your DH is tied to your starting pitcher. In other words, as soon as you take your starting pitcher out of the game you're also taking your DH out of the game. After that, either you have to let the relief pitchers bat or use a pinch hitter. If you so choose, you can sub your DH in for one of your fielder's (a double switch) but he could be a defensive liability while you lose a better fielder.

Here's a scenario, your starter's laboring, runners on first and second, 1 out, you're down 1 run and in the next half inning your DH, who's one of your best hitters but can't play the field well is due up 3rd. If you pull your pitcher you either have to put him in the field somewhere and risk a possibly catastrophic error or pinch hit for him. Or you can roll the dice and leave your starter in and hope for the double play ball. What's the call, skip?

Anyway, the pros of this are that you don't lose any strategy in the game, your starting pitchers, the highest paid ones, don't risk potential injury trying to bunt, potential for more offense and excitement and it creates more jobs for aging vets who can't move around in the field very well anymore.

I like this a lot.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I actually came up with an idea that incorporates a DH and leaves all the strategy and maybe more in the game. Basically, your DH is tied to your starting pitcher...

Yes. yes! Designated hitters should be tied to the pitchers they're hitting for!
I wish the AL would adopt this.

[OhioCub]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

Yes. yes! Designated hitters should be tied to the pitchers they're hitting for!
I wish the AL would adopt this.

Yep, that's kind of the idea, to get everyone on the same, compromised set of rules. I wish I knew how to get this idea to the commish lol

[woody2goody]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I think pitchers batting is great. Position players have yo be able to bat and field well to be in the majors, so the pitcher should bring the same tools to the table.

There is nothing better in baseball than a pitcher hitting a home run.

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: NL Designated Hitter - Future Franchise Change

I think pitchers batting is great. Position players have yo be able to bat and field well to be in the majors, so the pitcher should bring the same tools to the table.

There is nothing better in baseball than a pitcher hitting a home run.

I'd rather see a pitcher throw a no-hitter over one hitting a homer.
Heck, I'd rather see a pitcher throw a shut-out over one homering.