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The designated hitter rule has been used in the American League since 1973 but never in the National League. This rule is used where another hitter that does not go onto the field goes up to bat instead of a pitcher. This is a rule that is unnecessary for a variety of different reasons. These range from the importance of having players be all-around performers to adding to the strategy that is used in a game in regards to the pitcher.

First, a designated hitter is used primarily for offensive purposes. Since the player goes up to bat instead of the pitcher the DH does not have to go out onto the field. This really makes this position cheaper than other positions because it diminishes the all-around skills that are needed for a player to be truly successful. Sure, Edgar Martinez was a great hitter and David Ortiz is very valuable today from an offensive standpoint. However, the fielding and running skills of these players are not truly known and as a result it is rather hard to take these players seriously as some of the best in the game.

Also, the DH rule gives the American League an unfair advantage over National League teams. While it is true that the pitcher is not going to be very talented in terms of hitting the fact that an American League team does not have to worry about having a pitcher go up to bat hurts the level of competition between the two Leagues. This may be a factor as to why the AL has done so well in recent years in the World Series.

The rule also reduces the amount of strategy that is used in AL games. In the NL teams have to make decisions at the later stages of the game as to what to do with their pitchers. A manager has to decide if he feels comfortable with his pitcher to the point where he'll let him go up to bat or run bases or to have a pinch hitter or runner get into the game for him. This can be especially important when the game goes into extra innings because only a certain number of pinch hitters and runners can get into a game. This strategy is something that is very compelling in NL games and as something that the AL could benefit from.

Finally, it has become clear over the years that the NL is not interested in adopting this rule. There is no reason why one league can use the rule and one league cannot.

Overall, the designated hitter rule is a rule that is not necessary for the game of baseball. Not only does the rule keep players from emphasizing on all-around success but it also creates an unfair advantage for AL teams in that there is less strategy involved and that pitchers don't have to bat like they do in the NL.

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