The Designated Hitter (DH) is a role that has been part of the Major League Baseball (MLB) landscape since 1973. It was created to give teams an extra offensive weapon in their lineup, and it has expanded to become a crucial part of the game. But what if teams were allowed to use their pitchers as their designated hitter?
The Pros and Cons of Using a Pitcher as a DH
The idea of using a pitcher as a DH is not a new one. In fact, it has been discussed for decades. There are pros and cons to using a pitcher as a DH.
Pros
One of the main benefits of using a pitcher as a DH is the extra offense it provides. Pitchers are often some of the best hitters on a team, and having a pitcher in the lineup who can hit and provide power can be a major advantage. Also, using a pitcher as a DH would allow teams to rest their pitchers while still giving them the opportunity to contribute offensively.
Cons
On the other hand, there are some drawbacks to using a pitcher as a DH. For starters, pitchers are usually not as well-conditioned as position players, so they may not be able to last as long in the lineup. Also, pitchers don’t usually have as much experience hitting as position players, so they may not be as effective in the batter’s box. Finally, pitchers are usually more valuable to their teams on the mound, so there is a risk that teams could be sacrificing too much defense in order to gain an offensive boost.
Evaluating the Impact on the Game
Before making a decision on whether or not pitchers should be allowed to serve as designated hitters, it is important to consider how it would impact the game.
More Offense
The most obvious impact of allowing pitchers to serve as designated hitters would be an increase in offense. This would be especially true if teams were allowed to use their best pitchers as DHs, as they would be some of the best hitters in the league. This could lead to more runs being scored, higher scoring games, and an overall more exciting game.
More Strategy
Another potential impact of allowing pitchers to serve as DHs would be an increase in strategic decisions that teams have to make. For example, if a team has a pitcher who is also a good hitter, they might have to decide whether to let him hit or to use him as a DH. This would add a new layer of strategy to the game, as teams would have to weigh the benefits of offense against the potential risks of sacrificing defense.
Conclusion
Overall, it is clear that allowing pitchers to serve as designated hitters would have an impact on the game. It could lead to more offense, more strategy, and potentially more excitement. However, it is also important to consider the potential drawbacks of using pitchers as DHs before making a decision. Ultimately, it is up to the MLB to decide whether or not pitchers should be allowed to serve as designated hitters.