Articles tagged with dh

The DH Unification Debate - Why the Central League Clings to Pitchers Batting

Half a century after the Pacific League adopted the DH in 1975, the Central League still has pitchers bat. This article examines both sides of the unification debate and the tactical and economic implications.

Rules & Systems Last updated: 2026-01-28 Estimated reading time: 1 min

The Last Generation of Pitchers at the Plate - A Vanishing NPB Landscape as the DH Expands

For decades, Central League pitchers stepped into the batter's box as a matter of course. With universal DH under discussion, the sight of a pitcher batting may soon vanish from NPB entirely.

History Last updated: 2025-11-20 Estimated reading time: 1 min

Universal DH Debate - Unifying the DH Rule Across Both Leagues

A data-driven examination of the long-running debate over extending the designated hitter rule, adopted by the Pacific League in 1975, to the Central League.

Rules & Systems Last updated: 2025-02-28 Estimated reading time: 1 min