Every year when Interleague play takes place is when I get annoyed with the non-uniformity of the designated hitter rule. Isn’t it bad enough that we have to deal with this issue during the pinnacle of each season when something called the World Series takes place? Over the last decade with the advent of Interleague play this inability of both leagues to be uniformed on this subject borders on jeopardizing the integrity of the game.

The baseball purists would argue the point the National League has it right. Having your pitchers hit is the way the game was intended. In addition by implementing the designated hitter rule you have removed some of the strategy throughout the course of a game that has became part of its trademark. The simple fundamentals of a sacrifice bunt to move a runner over, pitching around the number 8 hitter in the lineup with 2 outs to get pitcher’s spot in the order, the decision of whether or not to pinch hit for a pitcher with men in scoring position despite him being in a midst of strong outing, or simply having to rely more on your bullpen throughout the course of the season.

The rebuttal to that argument pertains to a couple of key points. The designated hitter rule in the American League has allowed players with limited defensive ability to extend their careers because they can still produce at a high level offensively. Another key point is that starting pitchers no longer have to be pulled from a game prematurely due to the fact it’s their turn to bat with men in scoring position. In addition the argument can be made in any sport that fans would prefer more offense as opposed to the opposite.

Personally I don’t have a strong opinion for either side. My stance is quite clear. It needs to be one way or the other but not both. It amazes me that this particular subject doesn’t get more media attention nor does it seem to be a concern of Major League Baseball itself. Maybe it was an issue in its initial stages, maybe we have become so accustomed to it as a fan that it is a moot point, or maybe it reverts back to that old saying that you can’t fight city hall.

Can you imagine if the NFL had a similar type of scenario? What if the AFC and NFC had one rule that they couldn’t get together on? For instance what if defensive pass interference was a spot foul in the AFC and just a 15-yard penalty in the NFC. Imagine in non-conference games that whoever the home team was would determine which interpretation of that rule gets enforced. How about the effect it would have on the Super Bowl? Unlike the World Series the Super Bowl is played at a neutral site. Would the NFL alternate the rule for their premier game on an annual basis?

The bottom line is that’s why the NFL has taken over as the most popular sport in this country. They know how to get it right. There are no integrity issues as it applies to any of their rules while all are solidly uniformed. Major League Baseball needs to wake up and take a similar path one way or another. The designated hitter rule should be either used or not used in both leagues. It doesn’t matter which. What does matter is the integrity and ethics of the game remain intact. Under the current conditions those two characteristics are in question.