by M.J. Webb

Created on: March 24, 2010

It is difficult to recall this topic discussed without long held sporting axes to grind. Whether it be the baseball purist appalled at the soiling of the game by those dreaded initials, or the baseball revolutionist who would agree to anything as long as it upset the previously mentioned purist. In an attempt to honestly assess the debate, let us lay each argument upon the sporting scales of analysis. Why should the designated hitter be abolished? There will always be pitchers who have either something to offer with the bat, or else the desire to have a go. Pitchers are proud creatures, many believing themselves to be batting champs waiting to happen... after all, how hard can it be? Likewise, there will also always be managers and coaches who themselves enjoy the strategical challenge of having no designated hitter. Managers such as Joe Torre and Tony La Russa who have expressed their interest in a move to abolish the D.H. What about the argument for the D.H? By comparison, some pitchers have no desire to hit. Which is handy, as some hitters have little desire, or ability, to play defence. Whether it be through injury, age or just not being gifted with that particular skill set, some major league hitters are best kept away from the glove. In a sport increasingly driven by the need to be athletic as well as good at the plate, it must be conceded that being a talented swinger is not going to guarantee athletic proficiency. And it is occasionally refreshing to see a D.H at the plate with a pot-belly hanging over the strike zone whose sole responsibility is to find the seats, rather than watching a crab handed pitcher at the plate swinging himself into a knot.

Which rule should be adopted? Which case is stronger? Surely the beauty of the sport as it is currently run is that it caters for both. If you are a manager with the desire for extra strategical challenge or a pitcher with a neat swing: great, you may go and manage or play in the National League. If you are unable to field a position owing to age, injuries or a lack of that skill set, then you may join an American League franchise. This quirk in the game adds appeal, and far more appeal than is added by the dull blandness of conformity. Why must the leagues be conformed? Does everyone need to be singing from the same hymn-sheet? Why? Has our society preached tolerance to us to the extent that we fear and even reject diversity? Hopefully not, for variety adds flavour and intrigue.

I, for one, am thankful for those surprise hits by pitchers with wild swings. I am likewise thankful for the careers of hitters extended by the D.H. option, allowing a generation of young fans to see the shelf-life of many great-yet-old players still gracing our diamonds. I also hope that we are not so foolish or selfish as to deprive the next generation of fans from witnessing the talents of today's sluggers as extended by the current laws.

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