DH Rule In National League
DH rule in National League was implemented at the start of the 2022 season. The rule allows teams to use another player instead of the pitcher while batting.
New DH rule in MLB implemented the position in the NL after the MLB lockout. This was one of the few notable rule changes to be put into play for the 2022 season.
After the implementation of the rule, the National League pitchers no longer need to bat. This resulted in the change of roster construction, as teams needed to consider the DH position.
Before the 2022 season, NL teams could use a designated hitter only in interleague games that were held at the home ballpark of American League clubs. The rule also helps to restore some competitive balance between the leagues by leveling the playing field.
Here are some of the facts mentioned in MLB Rule 5.11 that explain the position of a DH:
- A hitter can be designated to bat in place of the pitcher. However, the hitter must be selected before the start of the game and included in the lineup presented to the umpire-in-chief.
- The designated hitter named in the lineup must bat at least one time unless the opposition changes pitchers.
- Designating a hitter is not mandatory but failure to do so before the game prevents the team from using a DH in that game.
- A pinch hitter for a DH can be used but once replaced the previous hitter can not re-enter the game.
- The DH can be used to field while continuing to bat in their position, but the pitcher must then bat in the place of the substituted defensive athlete. This condition does not hold if more than one substitution is made as in that case the manager has to designate the batting order.
On June 12, 1997, Glenallen Hill of the San Francisco Giants became the first player from the National League to play as a DH in a regular season. It happened during the interleague play between the Giants and AL side Texas Rangers at The Ballpark in Arlington.
Further, Andrew McCutchen of the Milwaukee Brewers was the first NL player to play the position after the rule became universal. Brewers faced another NL team Chicago Cubs during the 2022 season opener.