MLB and the Players Association are at a crossroads: they have been talking for days (months, really, if we count the pre-lockout bargaining sessions), yet progress has been minimal.
There are very important things to discuss and both sides are still way apart: minimum salary, compensation for players between 0-3 years of service time, revenue sharing, compensation for minor leaguers, and many more.
Perhaps the universal designated rule could be seen as an insignificant topic considering the importance of some of the mentioned ones, but it has an impact on the game, so it’s still relevant.
On that front, there appears to be some positive news to report: there is a very good chance the league implements the universal designated hitter (DH) rule in MLB, should there be a season, of course.
For decades, National League pitchers are required to hit, while the American League uses the designated hitter in its place.
Pitchers Hitting Is Not Good For The Game
Some fans like the idea of watching pitchers hit, because it’s part of the strategy: it involves a lot of sacrifice bunts, squeeze plays, and things like that.
Most fans, especially those with a modern way of seeing things, hate watching pitchers waste an at-bat when a perfectly capable hitter could be batting in his place.
Jon Heyman of MLB Network had something encouraging to say regarding the universal DH rule.
Barring something totally unexpected, it can be assumed at this point that the universal DH will be in place in 2022. Both sides are in favor (though true to these talks, they don’t seem to totally agree on who benefits most from a DH on all 30 teams)
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) February 2, 2022
“Barring something totally unexpected, it can be assumed at this point that the universal DH will be in place in 2022. Both sides are in favor (though true to these talks, they don’t seem to totally agree on who benefits most from a DH on all 30 teams),” was his message.
It isn’t a lock just yet, but it seems like something really odd would need to happen for MLB not to implement the designated hitter in both leagues.
In reality, very few people like to see a hitter struggle as much as the average pitcher does when asked to put on a helmet, grab a bat, and go out there and hit.
In fact, many hurlers just went out there and stood until they were struck out (or walked or hit by a pitch, but that wasn’t going to happen).
2021 PitchingNinja Award for the Best Imitation of a Statue while Hitting. 🗽🏆
Winner: Taijuan Walker pic.twitter.com/mB5acb2Vp9
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) December 8, 2021
Pitchers know that they can get injured on a swing, because it’s a specific action that their body is not used to doing.
New York Mets star Jacob deGrom probably injured himself on a swing last year, for example.
Rojas says since Mets don’t know the source of deGrom’s recent injuries, and the team is not ruling out that they derived from hitting, they might tell him to refrain from swinging his next time at the plate.
— Deesha (@DeeshaThosar) June 17, 2021
We are talking about one of the best pitchers in the game.
The Universal DH Rule Makes Baseball More Attractive
Is it really worth it for MLB to risk the health of their pitchers by forcing them to hit?
The answer is no, and it appears we are headed toward an MLB with no pitchers hitting.
The universal designated hitter rule will surely help increase offensive performance all over the NL, and people like runs and home runs.
All things considered, the rule contributes to a better, more attractive game, and it should be celebrated.
Now, if only MLB and the players could agree on the rest of the topics at hand, it would be great for baseball.
Time is running out, and spring training starting on time is a pipe dream by now.
Yea great, but I’m rapidly losing interest.
The National league should leave things as they are. I do not want to see the DL in the National league. Only my opinion.
having a pitcher hit is more interesting to me due to the sratigy involved….it requires intelligence…some people don’t get it.