DH Rule (can of worms?)

Theory · 03-09-2016, 04:51 PM

If you play an MLB game, what do you do about the DH in your leagues?

I am curious to hear from those who play historical leagues specifically.

When 1973 comes around, do you let the AL stray?
(side question: does OOTP enact the DH at this time automatically?)

If you start a present-day league, as i intend, do you enact the DH in the NL? If so, when? If not, do you remove it from the AL.

I know I am opening a can of worms for opinions...and I don't mind it.

jokerhusky1129 · 03-09-2016, 04:57 PM

I make it universal. I rename them the American and National Conferences, since, after a universal DH....the leagues are pretty much dissolved. It's going to happen, and sooner rather than later.

mitchkenn · 03-09-2016, 05:00 PM

the DH is an option. In league settings there should be a box you can check or uncheck. You can use it all the time, one league, or neither. i don't know if the game auto puts it in at the correct time historically, but you should have the option to keep or remove it. Personally, i do not use it.

Padreman · 03-09-2016, 05:15 PM

I still have DH in one league but not the other I this some of my minors leagues have DH some don't

rjl518 · 03-09-2016, 05:20 PM

as always...I cant stand the DH rule, but...
in order to keep realism, I keep it in the AL only.

bleachercreature · 03-09-2016, 05:25 PM

I always use the DH. Always been a fan of it because for the most part you don't want to see pitchers hit (imo). With few exceptions to the rule, pitchers don't hit and the injury risk bothers me.

Of course, Mad Bum is a poster boy for the other side of the argument.

prisonerno6 · 03-09-2016, 05:40 PM

prisonerno6 · 03-09-2016, 05:40 PM

prisonerno6 · 03-09-2016, 05:40 PM

prisonerno6 · 03-09-2016, 05:41 PM

prisonerno6 · 03-09-2016, 05:43 PM

NYYANKS98 · 03-09-2016, 06:25 PM

I don't understand why you're just double posting random memes that only marginally relate to OP's question, but carry on I guess.

I'm not sure if the league automatically inserts the DH but I believe if you have evolution on in a historical game it will do so. If someone else can't check me on that it would be wonderful. Personally I usually keep it as is. Unlike most people I love the way baseball works. Everyone always complains one way or the other and all seem to favor "A SINGLE RULE SET FOR BOTH LEAGUES! >_<" but I love the way that baseball, especially as a New Yorker allows me to see both game styles every day.

Watching the Mets lets me see the intricate PH strategies and defensive replacements while the a Yankees let me see guys extend their careers. It's the best of both worlds.

tward13 · 03-09-2016, 07:18 PM

It starts AL only at the correct time. I let the AL go their way and keep the NL DH free forever.

froghair · 03-10-2016, 07:07 AM

I play historical-based leagues, but I change franchise locations, team names, era stat tendencies, etc. It's all based on just how I think things should have gone to my personal preference. I have pitchers bat in both leagues and at all levels. And I adjust pitcher batting skills for modern pitchers to level them to 30s-to-50s levels (bc their skill, such as it is, never atrophied).

actionjackson · 03-10-2016, 01:57 PM

I play random debut historical, and I have the DH on in the AL and not in the NL no matter which season I'm playing. It will start in the AL in 1973 as it should and it will not appear in the NL.

Huckleberry · 03-10-2016, 02:15 PM

Fictional Leagues: Never use it
Historical Leagues: Never use it if it starts before 1973. Let it happen in 1973 when I get there, then...
Modern Leagues: Turn it off with a League Evolution story shortly after I get past the current real life year.

Blackened30 · 03-10-2016, 05:30 PM

I leave the DH on in the AL when playing historically or doing a modern day league, both for realism and to differentiate the leagues. I like that the AL and NL aren't mirror copies of each other, and I carry that same thinking over when I make my fictional leagues.

Having said that, I don't enjoy the DH-style of play and I never control an AL team. I'm fine with just observing it from afar.

DJP53916 · 03-10-2016, 11:19 PM

I use the DH in both leagues. I like having both leagues play with the same rules, and it opens up some interesting Free Agent and trade acquisitions for National League teams.

Since the two separate leagues were officially dissolved in 1999, and are both under the complete control of Major League Baseball, the idea of two sets of rules seems silly to me, and reality is that the DH will likely end up in the NL long before they ever eliminate in from the AL.

Generally, I'm completely indifferent to whether or not the DH even exists. As a 38 year old Milwaukee Brewers fan, I've seen my team use and not use the DH almost the same amount of time, and found out I didn't enjoy the game more, or less, because of the DH; I just enjoyed the game completely.

osborneman · 03-12-2016, 07:19 AM

Keep it how it is in real games, get rid of it for fictional leagues. I do give it to all the minor leagues in fictional leagues, since it helps develop more batters. I like the strategy of no DH, and I have no need for an extra hitter in the majors.

Ty Cobb · 03-12-2016, 10:01 AM

I don't like night baseball either.

03-09-2016, 04:51 PM	#1
Theory Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 13	DH Rule (can of worms?) If you play an MLB game, what do you do about the DH in your leagues? I am curious to hear from those who play historical leagues specifically. When 1973 comes around, do you let the AL stray? (side question: does OOTP enact the DH at this time automatically?) If you start a present-day league, as i intend, do you enact the DH in the NL? If so, when? If not, do you remove it from the AL. I know I am opening a can of worms for opinions...and I don't mind it.

03-09-2016, 05:00 PM	#3
mitchkenn Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oregon, not by design Posts: 2,872	the DH is an option. In league settings there should be a box you can check or uncheck. You can use it all the time, one league, or neither. i don't know if the game auto puts it in at the correct time historically, but you should have the option to keep or remove it. Personally, i do not use it. __________________ "This is my opening farewell " - Jackson Browne “They make a desolation and call it peace.” ― Agha Shahid Ali "Maybe she just has to sing, for the sake of the song - And who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong." - Townes Van Zandt "I saw a young man leaning on his wooden crutch - He called out to me, 'Don't ask for so much' And a young woman leaning in her darkened door She cried out to me, 'Why not ask for more?' " - Leonard Cohen "Hello darkness, my old Friend ...." - Paul Simon Before Mays, before DiMaggio, there was Oscar Charleston. "All the lies about Babe Ruth are true." - Waite Hoyt Avatar is the late great Townes Van Zandt. rip.

03-09-2016, 05:15 PM	#4
Padreman Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2013 Location: Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico (formally San Diego, CA.) Posts: 4,138 Blog Entries: 1	I still have DH in one league but not the other I this some of my minors leagues have DH some don't __________________ Chargers= Despicable Traitors

03-09-2016, 05:20 PM	#5
rjl518 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Born in Shea Stadium, lives in LoanDepot Park. Posts: 6,242	as always...I cant stand the DH rule, but... in order to keep realism, I keep it in the AL only. __________________ My Threads: MLB Project 32 by SFGiants58 "Colon looking for his 1st hit of the year and he DRIVES ONE! Deep left field! Back goes Upton! Back near the wall! ITS OUTTA HERE!!! Bartolo has done it!!! THE IMPOSSIBLE HAS HAPPENED!!! This is one of the great moments in the history of baseball! Bartolo Colon has gone deep!" ---Gary Cohen. (May 7, 2016) (Petco Park) NYM 6 @ SD 3

03-12-2016, 07:19 AM	#19
osborneman Minors (Single A) Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Bay Area Posts: 56	Keep it how it is in real games, get rid of it for fictional leagues. I do give it to all the minor leagues in fictional leagues, since it helps develop more batters. I like the strategy of no DH, and I have no need for an extra hitter in the majors. __________________ Go Giants!

03-09-2016, 04:57 PM	#2
jokerhusky1129 Major Leagues Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Las Vegas, NV Posts: 452	I make it universal. I rename them the American and National Conferences, since, after a universal DH....the leagues are pretty much dissolved. It's going to happen, and sooner rather than later.

03-09-2016, 05:25 PM	#6
bleachercreature Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 403	I always use the DH. Always been a fan of it because for the most part you don't want to see pitchers hit (imo). With few exceptions to the rule, pitchers don't hit and the injury risk bothers me. Of course, Mad Bum is a poster boy for the other side of the argument.

03-09-2016, 05:40 PM	#7
prisonerno6 Major Leagues Join Date: May 2014 Location: SW Florida Posts: 465

03-09-2016, 05:41 PM	#10
prisonerno6 Major Leagues Join Date: May 2014 Location: SW Florida Posts: 465

03-09-2016, 05:43 PM	#11
prisonerno6 Major Leagues Join Date: May 2014 Location: SW Florida Posts: 465

03-09-2016, 06:25 PM	#12
NYYANKS98 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 128	I don't understand why you're just double posting random memes that only marginally relate to OP's question, but carry on I guess. I'm not sure if the league automatically inserts the DH but I believe if you have evolution on in a historical game it will do so. If someone else can't check me on that it would be wonderful. Personally I usually keep it as is. Unlike most people I love the way baseball works. Everyone always complains one way or the other and all seem to favor "A SINGLE RULE SET FOR BOTH LEAGUES! >_<" but I love the way that baseball, especially as a New Yorker allows me to see both game styles every day. Watching the Mets lets me see the intricate PH strategies and defensive replacements while the a Yankees let me see guys extend their careers. It's the best of both worlds.

03-09-2016, 07:18 PM	#13
tward13 All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 1,964	It starts AL only at the correct time. I let the AL go their way and keep the NL DH free forever.

03-10-2016, 07:07 AM	#14
froghair Minors (Single A) Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Rocky River, Ohio Posts: 67	I play historical-based leagues, but I change franchise locations, team names, era stat tendencies, etc. It's all based on just how I think things should have gone to my personal preference. I have pitchers bat in both leagues and at all levels. And I adjust pitcher batting skills for modern pitchers to level them to 30s-to-50s levels (bc their skill, such as it is, never atrophied).

03-10-2016, 01:57 PM	#15
actionjackson Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 6,163	I play random debut historical, and I have the DH on in the AL and not in the NL no matter which season I'm playing. It will start in the AL in 1973 as it should and it will not appear in the NL.

03-10-2016, 02:15 PM	#16
Huckleberry All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 577	Fictional Leagues: Never use it Historical Leagues: Never use it if it starts before 1973. Let it happen in 1973 when I get there, then... Modern Leagues: Turn it off with a League Evolution story shortly after I get past the current real life year.

03-10-2016, 05:30 PM	#17
Blackened30 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: May 2008 Location: Lake Elsinore, CA Posts: 22	I leave the DH on in the AL when playing historically or doing a modern day league, both for realism and to differentiate the leagues. I like that the AL and NL aren't mirror copies of each other, and I carry that same thinking over when I make my fictional leagues. Having said that, I don't enjoy the DH-style of play and I never control an AL team. I'm fine with just observing it from afar.

03-10-2016, 11:19 PM	#18
DJP53916 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 175	I use the DH in both leagues. I like having both leagues play with the same rules, and it opens up some interesting Free Agent and trade acquisitions for National League teams. Since the two separate leagues were officially dissolved in 1999, and are both under the complete control of Major League Baseball, the idea of two sets of rules seems silly to me, and reality is that the DH will likely end up in the NL long before they ever eliminate in from the AL. Generally, I'm completely indifferent to whether or not the DH even exists. As a 38 year old Milwaukee Brewers fan, I've seen my team use and not use the DH almost the same amount of time, and found out I didn't enjoy the game more, or less, because of the DH; I just enjoyed the game completely.

03-12-2016, 10:01 AM	#20
Ty Cobb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Grayling, MI Posts: 4,543 Blog Entries: 119	Never! I don't like night baseball either. __________________ "You could not live with your own failure. Where did that bring you? Back to me." Thanos