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MLB: Four Ideas To Actually Improve The Game

By Benno Martens

Oct 26, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; MLB newly elected commissioner Rob Manfred talks on a phone on the field before game five of the 2014 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 26, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; MLB newly elected commissioner Rob Manfred talks on a phone on the field before game five of the 2014 World Series between the San Francisco Giants and the Kansas City Royals at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Change #1: Universal Designated Hitter

Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports /

Since 1973, the American League and National League have played under two different sets of rules thanks to the creation of the designated hitter. The AL takes the bat out of the pitcher’s hands and allows a more skilled hitter to step into the box, while in the NL pitchers still hit for themselves.

Historically, this has meant more run scoring in the AL, and less emphasis on small ball. The differences may seem subtle, but thus far in 2016 American League clubs are averaging 4.58 runs per game (6,518 runs total) compared to 4.37 runs per game (6,240 runs total) in the National League. The league average ERA is 4.12 in the senior circuit and 4.25 in its younger counterpart.

The argument for bringing the DH to the NL can also be made quite simply by stating the obvious fact that pitchers as a whole flat-out can’t hit anymore. In 2015, the collective slash line for pitchers across MLB was a putrid .132/.160/.170, and it’s no wonder as high school, college, and minor league baseball all employ the DH. For every Madison Bumgarner, there are scores of pitchers who just can’t hit.

If “action,” as Manfred calls it, is what the game needs more of, instituting the DH in the National League, or at the very least in interleague games and the World Series, is one way to go about it. Would fan’s watching the Fall Classic rather see David Price or David Ortiz at the plate in an NL park with the game on the line? Would a sacrifice bunt by the former or a towering home run by the latter bring about more “action” in the game?

And there may be traction for this change, though it is still likely a few years away.

“Twenty years ago, when you talked to National League owners about the DH, you’d think you were talking some sort of heretical comment,” Manfred said in January. “But we have a newer group. There’s been turnover. And I think our owners in general have demonstrated a willingness to change the game in ways that we think would be good for the fans, always respecting the history and traditions of the sport.”

Next: Restrict pitchers the right way

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