Samuel Carlson
Sports Editor
Baseball has been around for an exceedingly long time, being known as America’s pastime. Many rules have been introduced to this game throughout the years and one rule was called the designated hitter.
I say it is a rule, but it is a new position with rules applied to it that are new. People are trying to have Major League Baseball get rid of the designated hitter but other people like me want them to stay because they are a part of our game and are fun to watch. The designated hitter is one of baseball’s important position and one that makes the fans extremely excited to see come up to the plate.
When they started the DH in 1973 it was only for a practice run and that practice run was a success. In the 2 years before which were 71’ and 72’ their batting averages were in 71’ 249 and in 72’ 244. In one season the batting average went up to 257 in 73’ and of course that is the year that the DH was introduced. The DH obviously helped with the batting average going up.
Another category in the hitting column that increased during the 1973 season was runs per game. In the years 71’ and ’72 the runs per game were 3.89 in 71’ and in 72’ they were 3.69. In the year ’73 the runs per game were 4.21 which is obviously and increase.
Ever since 1973 the runs per game went under 4 only one other time in the year 1976 but the average was 3.99 which is pretty much a 4 anyways. Other than that, one year it has never gone below 4 and the highest it has ever been since 1973 was in 2000 with the runs per game being 5.14. Once again, the DH helped with the offensive decrease in the MLB.
In the year 1972 before the DH was in the MLB there was only an average of 26,968,268. In 1973 the average attendance was 30,108,926. That is a 3,140,658 difference in just one year. That year was also the biggest the most attendance the MLB has ever had since it became established which was the year of 1869.
When I was in high school, I had a friend hurt his shoulder and could not play in the field for a while. If it was not for a DH, then he would have been stuck riding the bench for most of his Junior year.
People say how it takes opportunities away from younger athletes, but I think it creates opportunities for these young athletes. Also, how it is not how the game is but its exactly how the game is now. You need a batter in the box who can drive in runs.
“It creates opportunities for guys, I am all for the DH just because I would rather see that then a pitcher with a 130-batting average and it’s part of the game”. Said Travis Lallemand, Head Coach for Crowder baseball.
I believe the DH is a position that is needed in baseball for multiple reasons. To have someone in the lineup who can drive in runs and to not have a pitcher bat and get out almost every time. The DH is important in baseball and the MLB who anyone should not get rid of the position.
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