What is a designated hitter, and why is it argued about?

A player who bats in place of the pitcher without fielding — a rule that split baseball for nearly fifty years and produced one of the sport's longest-running arguments.

The problem it addressed. Pitchers are selected for pitching, and are generally very poor hitters — professional pitchers have historically batted at a fraction of the rate of position players. With a pitcher in the lineup, one of nine batting slots was close to an automatic out, which reduced scoring and, arguably, entertainment.

The rule. The designated hitter bats for the pitcher throughout the game. The pitcher never bats; the DH never fields.

The history. The American League adopted it in 1973; the National League refused, and the two leagues played under different rules for decades — an unusual situation within a single sport. Interleague games used the home team's rule. The National League adopted it permanently from 2022, ending the split.

The case for it:

More offence, since a weak batting slot is replaced by a specialist.

Extends careers of skilled hitters whose fielding has declined, and provides a place for players whose value is entirely at the plate.

Protects pitchers from injury while batting and running — a genuine concern after several high-profile injuries.

The case against it:

It removes tactical decisions. Without a DH, a manager facing a pitcher due to bat in a close game must choose between removing an effective pitcher for a pinch hitter or accepting a likely out. That double-switch and pinch-hitting strategy was, to its defenders, among the most interesting parts of managing.

It reduces the requirement to be a complete player.

Tradition, which in baseball carries unusual weight.

The Ohtani effect. The rule was modified so a player who both pitches and serves as DH can remain in the game as hitter after being removed as pitcher — a change made necessary by a genuinely two-way player, which the rule had not contemplated.