When was dh rule instituted

Because the pitcher is still part of the team's nine defensive players, the designated hitter -- or "DH" -- does not take the field on defense. The rule was adopted by the American League in , while pitchers continued to hit in games played at National League parks.

It's possible the NL could revert to its traditional rules in The DH must be selected prior to the game, and that selected hitter must come to bat at least one time -- unless the opposing team changes pitchers prior to that point.

A team that chooses not to select a DH prior to a game is barred from using a DH for the rest of that game. A player who enters the game in place of the DH -- either as a pinch-hitter or a pinch-runner -- becomes the DH in his team's lineup thereafter. Cycling players out of their defensive position gives them rest while keeping their bat in the lineup.

A great defensive player can also benefit from being the DH if they are rehabbing from an injury as well. For example, you may have a player who is recovering from a hamstring injury. By limiting them to only batting, you reduce their chances of injuring themselves from playing the field.

The DH role keeps players on teams without putting them on the injury list if they can still bat. During interleague play in Spring training, the regular season, All-Star Games, or World Series, you play by home team rules. Home team rules mean if the game is in an AL park, you have the DH. During a game in the NL park, pitchers hit and there is no DH. With everything in baseball, you can expect confusion when managers need to replace a DH.

Technically speaking, a DH can move into the field during the baseball game. The manager comes over to the umpire to let them know the switch with the new lineup card. When the DH goes into the field, the team forfeits their DH spot and moves the pitcher into the batting order.

An example is if the DH is the starting catcher, and the catching backup receives an injury during a game. To keep a catcher in the field, you move the DH catcher to the field, forfeit the DH spot. By forfeiting the DH spot, you then then have the pitcher bat in the lineup. The DH rule was to create more offense in baseball while giving older players more years to play.

Players like David Ortiz had the DH role spark new life into their playing career for example. Milwaukee Brewers. Houston Astros. Hendriks, Hader named MLB's top relievers in ' Chicago White Sox. Longtime Royals scout Art Stewart dies at Kansas City Royals.

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