Unified League?
By blackhawk27
@blackhawk27 (78)
United States
July 10, 2008 12:16pm CST
With the all of the debates going around about which league rules, be it the AL or NL, should be followed entirely instead of having two separate leagues in the MLB, which League do you feel should be the one that every one follows?
Being a huge CO Rockies fan I am biased towards the NL because it brings another dynamic to the game, with Pinch hitters, runners, double switches, and the fact that pitchers have to bat make strategy a little more important than in the AL, where you have a DH.
WIth that said I feel that a unified league is almost impossible and propose an alternative suggestion. Why not incorporate both into one league. You may have a DH for the starting pitcher, but once you pull your starting pitcher then your DH cannot bat anymore. Therefore you would have to incorporate pinch hitters, runners, and you can still pull of double switches. Thoughts?
1 person likes this
5 responses
@belhaven14 (454)
• United States
10 Jul 08
That isn't a bad idea, but I doubt it will ever happen. It would make a quality start from your starting pitchers that much more important. I kind of like having two leagues. I am a huge fan of letting pitchers hit. You have to be a great athlete to play professional baseball, so why can't they run around the bases without getting hurt or taking that risk? I think having the two leagues keeps everyone happy. If you like DH you can watch the AL and if you like hitting pitchers you can watch the NL. I don't know how you make the interleague or World Series more fair. I wish home field advantage in the World Series was from overall record instead of the All-Star game. It seems weird to put that advantage on an exhibition game. Basically, I like it the way it is. Maybe one day I will hear a proprosal that I will jump on the bandwagon of, but for now I haven't.
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I think the only reason they did that was to give the All-Star some meaning or something to that effect. I don't think it matters one way or the other because I don't think any less of the National League. They got some good teams.
This could be crazy but what if they played the World Series in a neutral city? Would that work at all? Better yet, could it work?
@belhaven14 (454)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I don't think there is any reason to make the All-Star game count for something. It is nothing more than an exhibition and it shouldn't be more. It is an excuse to honor all of the best players in the league and get them in the same place at the same time. What is wrong with having a game that doesn't mean anything between the best players in the league? I don't have a problem with players making fun of each other across the field during the All-Star game. I would love to mic a lot of the players so the fans could hear them just having a good time. For the fans, it is just an excuse to see their favorite players all at once. For the players, it is an honor and fun. Why does it need to matter who wins? I think a neutral home field in the World Series could work. It still wouldn't fix the DH/no DH rule advantages that the teams have now. They would still have to come up with a way to figure out the rules.
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
11 Jul 08
A coin flip perhaps or something? I'm not real sure on what would be the best way to go with it. Maybe make the World Series should it be in a neutral city the pitcher would be at bat regardless of who is the home team exactly. That would be my guess but who knows really.
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I am a baseball purist. I don't think a united league is a good idea.I love the National League. I love that the pitcher has to bat like everyone else. My first favorite teams are in the National League. For a time I would see the National League more than The American League.but then I fell in with this little American League team. Maybe you have heard of them, The Red Sox? When Schilling came to play for The Sox, I started rooting for them.Any team that hates the Yankees as much as I do, is a team for me. And I got to see more of The American League. They have their own style. I can see where a great hitter can just be the DH and still play.I still prefer The National style, small ball, but I have come to respect the American League Style , long ball, more.Trying to mix both styles would disrespect both styles at the same time.A part time DH is like being a little pregnant.With interleague play, the players get to see how the other half plays before the World Series.So why change?
@blackhawk27 (78)
• United States
12 Jul 08
I like the fact that you are an NL guy, as I am one myself. However I'm afraid I can't say the same think about you being a redsox fan, especially since they beat my beloved Rockies in the world series. However if it's any consolation I don't like the yankees either and would rather root for the redsox than the yankees any day. I like the DH too, but it sucks for the guys on the bench because there just isn't any opportunity to play, where as in the NL, you can utilize your bench with the PH and double switches and what not.
1 person likes this
@sarahruthbeth22 (43143)
• United States
13 Jul 08
Correction. I am not a guy. But I am a huge fan.I am sorry about the Rockies. It wasn't their time. But they are young and if they still have the same core of guys on the roster, then they will win the World Series real soon. Real soon.It seems that the DH is a guy who can still hit but may not be as good in the field. I am new to this so I could be wrong but it seems that way.
@babostwick (2036)
• United States
10 Jul 08
I've never honestly been bothered one way or the other. Should pitchers bat or should they just pitch? I think you have to have all pitchers learn to hit because you never know what could happen. I don't know if you're going to see both have starters batting or a DH. I'd be open to anything to be honest. Yes AL pitchers had injuries running the bases but they should still practice to do so to prevent something like that happening.
@Yazo0_0 (74)
• United States
13 Jul 08
A unified league wouldn't be a good idea because it doesn't really bring out the rivalry between 2 leagues. for example the Yankees wouldn't have a heated rivalry with the Mets and the Cubs and the White Sox wouldn't have a great rivalry.
The Dh batting on Behalf of the pitcher is a good idea.
