Introduction
There was a time when pitchers were expected to both pitch and bat, but in the modern game of Major League Baseball (MLB) that is no longer the case. In fact, the last pitcher to hit in the MLB was Micah Owings in 2010. This article will explore the reasons behind why pitchers no longer bat and the potential implications of the decision.
History of Pitchers Batting
In the early days of baseball, pitchers were expected to both pitch and bat. This was due to the fact that teams had only nine players and the pitcher was considered to be the best hitter on the team. However, as the game evolved and teams began to use more specialized players, the role of the pitcher became more specialized as well.
The Rise of the Designated Hitter
In 1973, the American League introduced the Designated Hitter (DH) to the game. This was done in order to create more offense and add an additional layer of strategy to the game. The DH is a position that is not in the field, but instead is designated to hit for the pitcher in the batting order. The National League has resisted adding the DH, but many feel that it is only a matter of time before the league adopts it.
Why Pitchers No Longer Bat
There are a few factors that have led to the decline in pitchers hitting. The first is the fact that pitchers are now specialized and are expected to primarily focus on pitching. As a result, pitchers are no longer expected to be good hitters and are instead seen as liabilities in the batting order.
The second factor is the introduction of the Designated Hitter. The DH has allowed teams to put a better hitter in the lineup instead of the pitcher, which has led to pitchers being removed from the batting order altogether.
The third factor is the increased usage of the bullpen. As teams have become more reliant on their bullpens, they have become less likely to leave their starting pitchers in the game long enough for them to get an at-bat.
Potential Implications
There are a few potential implications of pitchers no longer batting. The first is that it has changed the strategy of the game. With the DH, teams are now able to deploy a pinch hitter in order to get the best possible matchup for their team. This can lead to more runs being scored as teams are able to get better matchups than they would have gotten in the past.
The second potential implication is that it has changed the way pitchers approach their job. Without the burden of batting, pitchers are now able to focus more time and energy on their pitching, which could lead to better performance on the mound.
The third potential implication is that it could lead to an increased reliance on relief pitchers. With the DH, teams are now more willing to pull their starting pitchers earlier in the game and rely on their relief pitchers to get the job done. This could lead to an increase in the number of relief pitchers on each team, which could lead to an overall decrease in quality pitching.
Conclusion
The decision to no longer allow pitchers to bat has had a significant impact on the game of baseball. It has changed the strategy of the game, the way pitchers approach their job, and could lead to an increased reliance on relief pitchers. While the decision has been met with some criticism, it is clear that it has changed the game in a profound way and is unlikely to be reversed anytime soon.