Pontotoc Middle School

[The Former DMiller]

How does it not have more strategy? Having a DH just means that the pitcher has to worry more about the 8 and 9 hitters, it doesn't really add more strategy. Having the pitcher in the 9 spot means the pitcher can choose to pitch around the 8 hitter, but the manager has to worry about the other team possibly taking the pitcher out for a pinch-hitter. The manager of the team at-bat has to think about whether it would be more beneficial to send in a pinch-hitter or if the pitcher has another inning or two left in him. The NL also has the double switch, which you seem to despise. It is simply putting in two new players where the new pitcher who is put in takes a position player's spot in the batting order while the position player takes the pitcher's spot in the batting order. This is used if you want to bring in a new pitcher, but don't want to have to worry about the pitcher having to bat right away. This is important because many relief pitchers only step up to the plate a handful of times a year, so they are pretty much a guaranteed out if you don't take them out, but it could be a waste to put in a relief pitcher and then take him out during the next half inning, hence the double switch.