Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tekchips.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!tekcrl!tekchips!stevev
From: stevev@tekchips.UUCP (Steve Vegdahl)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Which league is the minor league?
Message-ID: <352@tekchips.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 8-Nov-85 12:47:44 EST
Article-I.D.: tekchips.352
Posted: Fri Nov  8 12:47:44 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 10-Nov-85 09:27:58 EST
References: <1147@decwrl.UUCP> <17068@watmath.UUCP>
Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR
Lines: 46

> 
> AL pitchers must face a rested power hitter every 9 batters, while NL
> pitchers face an easy out.  NL pitchers have the tough job of bunting
> or grounding out each time through the order, but it's not the same
> challenge as facing some of the better bats in baseball.
> 
> 
> As you can tell, I'm all for the DH rule.  We don't go to games to
> watch pitchers get out at bat.  We go to see baseball, with people doing
> what they do best.

In that case, I'll propose another rule change: free substitution.  KC
leads off with George Brett.  He grounds out.  That's OK.  Reshuffle your
batting order.  Next batter: George Brett.  He hits a single.  Willie
Wilson goes in to pinch-run.  Next batter: George Brett.

If our philosophy is to see "people doing what they do best", today's
baseball rules (even with the DH) do not go far enough.  Why should
I put up with Buddy Biancalana (sp?) batting every ninth time when
I could see George Brett instead?!  Why should I have to watch Lonnie
Smith play outfield.  The game would be of higher quality if we replaced
him with some unknown player who is a spectacular fielder but can't hit.

Having the DH may marginally increase the challenge to a pitcher, but
it significantly DECREASES the challenge to a manager.  One of the beauties
of baseball is the tradeoffs that a Manager must in balancing players
strengths against their weaknesses.  Do I put in a poor fielder at
the expense of weakening my defense?  Do I make a defensive substitution
in the late innings?  Do I pinch-run for a slow player in a close game or
do I leave his bat in the lineup in case the game goes into extra innings?

Baseball is a game of balance.  A player who is good at many aspects of
the game is more valuable.  As far as I'm concerned, the DH
 * is an unnecessary wart in the rules of baseball
 * robs the game of much of its strategy
 * penalizes good-hitting (i.e., balanced-skill) pitchers

It also makes comparisons of players records more difficult when they are
between different leagues and/or eras,  but other changes to baseball (e.g.,
lowering pitcher's mound, artificial turf, night baseball) also have this
effect.

		Steve Vegdahl
		Computer Research Lab.
		Tektronix, Inc.
		Beaverton, Oregon