Baseball The Way It Is Supposed To Be

This weekend has been an inter league weekend in that the American and National league teams have been playing each other. Just watching the games this Sunday makes ever apparent what I have believed for quite sometime. That is that baseball in The National League is so much more enjoyable to watch.

For me a person who loves the strategy of the National League game the choice is clear. Double switches are a great part of the strategy of the late innings of a National League game. Deciding if you should try to leave a pitcher in for one more batter so that you can pinch hit the next inning without wasting two relievers. We should also not forget watching pitchers hit. Just today Steven Strasburg homered, Colby Lewis had two hits as did Zach Grienke. Many pitchers are solid hitters. Josh Beckett put a ball up on the wall today in Philly, if he had hit it a few more feet he would have hit three homeruns in Philadelphia in three years. That is pretty remarkable.

For anyone who complains about the pace of the American League game, particularly those of the Yankees and Red Sox, they should know that it is the designated hitter which adds significantly to this.

When discussion turns to having one system for both leagues and it is noted how the American League is at a severe disadvantage playing in National League parks one should also note that National League teams are not designed with a DH in mind and thus they are at a disadvantage in American League parks.

It is said that the DH provides a home for older players who can no longer play the field. I understand this. In no other sport however do we find a spot for a player who can no longer handle the physical requirements of the game. It should also be noted that the most successful designated hitters such as David Ortiz and Edgar Martinez have been nothing more than Designated Hitters for almost their whole careers, in other words long before they were of an age to need to be.

It is highly unlikely change will occur. I think Major League Baseball likes the contrast, moreover the Players Association will never want to give up what next year will be 15 high paying positions which is what would happen were the Designated Hitter to be eliminated.

Still watching the games this weekend it made me wish that the Red Sox were in The National League . What a much more challenging game to watch and love.