Major League Baseball -- MLB -- consists of the best baseball players from around the world. Each team within the MLB is designated to the National or American League. Every year the MLB releases a rulebook with any updates or changes to the rules. While both the National and American League follow the same basic rules, each league has a different rule regarding the designated hitter -- a player who bats in place of the pitcher.
Designated Hitter
The MLB rulebook outlines the general and specific rules for using the designated hitter. The rules state that "any league may elect to use the designed hitter rule." Ron Bloomberg from the New York Yankees was the first designated hitter in the 1973 season. The American League is the only league that chooses to allow a designated hitter. As a result, pitchers in the National League are required to bat in the normal rotation of the batting lineup.
Interleague Games
During interleague games, the World Series or All-Star Game, the rules for the home team take precedence. For example, if the interleague game is played in an American League ballpark, the team from the National League must follow the American League rules. Similarly, an American League team must follow National League rules that force the pitcher to hit for himself in the batting order.
Substitutions
Choosing to use or not to use the designated hitter rule changes the ability to substitute players in the batting order including pinch hitters and pinch runners. When an American League team uses the designated hitter, he remains in the same position in the batting order if he is used defensively. For example, if the designated hitter starts the game hitting fourth but enters the game to play first base later in the game, he continues to hit fourth in the batting order. If a pinch runner is used for the designated hitter, the pinch runner assumes the role as the designated hitter.
Result
The difference between the American and National League regarding the designated hitter revolves around average runs scored per game. While the designated hitter helps the pitcher rest between innings, using the designated hitter strengthens the overall batting order, which results in a higher number of average runs scored per game in the American League. Overall, this is designed for making the game more exciting for the spectators.
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