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Baseball in so many ways has stripped itself of being distinguishable from other professional sports.

Inter-league play has minimized the effect of two teams meeting for the first time that season in the World Series. Day games no longer exist in the World Series or playoffs. The game is no longer a gentleman's sport with all the steroids allegations.

Granted, baseball has done some crazy things recently, such as creating the rule that the league that wins the All-Star Game "earns" the right to home-field advantage in the World Series.

That rule should be banished just like Barry Bonds' name from the record books, but that is an argument for another time.

The designated-hitter rule is one of the last aspects of baseball that sets itself apart from its counterparts (the NBA, NFL and NHL).

It's the equivalent of the Western Conference in the NBA enforcing a rule that no player should be taller than 6 feet, 9 inches, while the Eastern Conference can play anyone. Or how about this: It's like the NFL allowing only one division to employ the fumblerooskie play.

The DH rule came into effect in the American League in 1973 because ticket sales were dwindling. The entertainment value is very expensive these days. A family of four can expect to spend more than $100 to attend a game.

Fans deserve to watch the best players perform at any position or circumstance because of the money they are paying. Would you rather watch David Ortiz bat as the DH for the Red Sox, or have Curt Schilling take some hacks at the ball?

Baseball purists argue that the DH rule has damaged the sanctity of the game. They say, "Look at Babe Ruth. He pitched. He certainly hit." However, for every Babe Ruth, thousands of Randy Johnsons exists. Does it not make you cringe when Johnson with his lanky body - or any other pitcher for that matter - swings the bat?

Since the DH rule came into play, the American League holds only a slight edge in World Series championships, winning 19 compared to the National League's 14. So the rule is not negatively affecting the chance for the National League to compete with the American League.

Amid all the negative headlines involving Bonds, Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Rafael Palmeiro and Jason Giambi, baseball must hang on to all that is working in its favor.

The DH rule sets itself apart from the rest. Taking it away will move baseball one step closer to obscurity.

Learn more about this author, Javier Morales.
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