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Baseball fans take a swing at designated hitter debate

Bruce Miles changed his mind. Did you? See what readers think about DHs in the National League.

Earlier this month, I wrote a “Take on the Cubs” that went against one of my long-held beliefs. I did a 180-degree turn and said it was high time the National League join the American League and adopt the designated hitter.

My shift was borne of practical, rather than aesthetic, reasons. Some readers agreed with me. Others didn't. Here is a sampling of those opinions:

Stop the goofy rules:

“I'm pretty much at the same place as you about the DH. Your reasons are sound. It's time to capitulate and stop the goofy AL and NL rules. Baseball has been watered down so much over the years simply due to over-expansion that the game I grew to love in the late '60s is long gone. I hate interleague baseball and that only exacerbates the DH controversy. Plus it won't hurt to have (minor-league slugger Dan) Vogelbach remain a Cub launching home runs from a DH role.”

— Mike

Too much specialization:

“I took a continuing ed class last quarter at Northwestern. (The professor) lectured about 'Sport and Society.' He talked about football being the ultimate factory/specialization sport, with every position being a specialized one. It wasn't always that way, as football players of yesteryear played both offense and defense.

“So when you argue for the DH, I'll posit that 'purists' like me are in favor of keeping the character of the game as it traditionally has been. Players playing offense and defense. Like soccer, rugby, hockey, lacrosse and so many other team sports. And as is also with many individual sports, like golf. Are you advocating for designated putters on the PGA tour as well?

“Methinks that we have enough sports like football, track, swimming, etc., where specialization rules. To me, that's the issue. Not simply 'purists' vs. DH advocates.”

— George

Kids want excitement:

“Over the last 15-20 years, football has surpassed baseball to become 'America's sport.' I think the fact that there is only one game a week, and each game is of prime importance, has had a lot to do with this. Basketball, and unfortunately, soccer, have also become increasingly popular.

“Further analysis will reveal that basketball and soccer audiences are composed largely of younger fans. Conversely, when you look at a baseball crowd, you see lots of old geezers such as myself, not nearly as high of a percentage of elementary, high school and college kids, and young adults. I personally don't understand the attraction of soccer other than the fact all you need is a field, a couple of nets and a ball. But with an overwhelming number of games ending in 1-0 scores, I find it incredibly boring.

“And that's one of baseball's biggest problems. Kids and young adults find baseball boring. Too much dead time between innings and even between pitches. What baseball needs to draw younger fans, and build a base for future popularity, is action. How can you get excited when, after the sixth- and seventh-place hitters make easy outs and the eighth-place hitter doubles, the pitcher comes up? Purist/traditionalists bemoan the loss-of-the-strategy angle if a DH is used. However, what about the strategy involved in the manager's decisions about who to use as the DH, and where in the order to hit him?

“Fans attend sporting events because they want to see action. Something other than the often-boring routine of daily life. They don't want to see the pitcher come up and either take three swings, none of which come within six inches of making contact, or just stand there and watch three strikes go by. It's dull. If I wanted to be bored, not see much action, and even less scoring, I'd go see one of those 1-0 soccer games.”

— Mark

Likes complete players:

“I read your article in support of the using the DH in the National League. I am not in favor of it. I really enjoy the idea of making the manager decide on how to use his roster in games, especially late in games. In listing your reasons for going to the DH, you didn't mention just how many more runs are scored by American League teams during the year. I would like to see how the two leagues compare in that respect. (Editor's note: AL teams averaged 677 runs per team last season, and NL teams averaged 640 runs per team. The AL led in runs scored from 1975-97, and the NL led from 1998-2012).

“I really don't like to see an old player that can only hit, like David Ortiz, play anymore. He can hit, but as far as having any more of the five tools that a player should have, he just doesn't have them any more. He costs so much more than a 'complete' player, as well. I guess I'm just an old-school guy. I like complete players and complete managers, too.”

— Joe

Miles: Why the NL should give it up and adopt DH

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