Designated hitter facts for kids

The designated hitter (often called the DH) is a special player in baseball. This player's main job is to bat (hit the ball) for the pitcher. Unlike most other players, the DH usually doesn't play defense as a fielder during a game. Because they focus only on hitting, designated hitters are expected to be really good at getting on base and scoring runs!

In Major League Baseball (MLB), the DH rule is now used by all teams. The American League started using the DH in 1973. The National League began using it universally in 2022. This means the DH is now a part of every MLB game. Many other baseball leagues around the world also use the designated hitter rule.

Edgar Martínez, who spent most of his career as the full-time designated hitter for the Seattle Mariners, was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2019.

How the Designated Hitter Rule Works

The designated hitter is a player who doesn't play a position in the field. Instead, they take the pitcher's turn in the batting order. This means the pitcher doesn't have to bat.

Special Rules for Pitchers and DHs

Usually, a DH only bats. But there's a special rule for a player who starts the game as both a pitcher and a designated hitter. This player can stay in the game as the DH even after they stop pitching. This rule is often called the "Ohtani rule." It was named after Shohei Ohtani, a famous player who is excellent at both pitching and hitting. This rule lets amazing two-way players like Ohtani show off all their skills.

If a team starts a game without a DH, their pitchers (or pinch hitters) must bat for the whole game. A DH can move to a defensive position during a game. If this happens, the team usually loses the DH role for the rest of the game.

DH Use in MLB History

Before 1973, no team in MLB used a designated hitter.

• From 1973 to 2021, the American League used the DH, but the National League generally did not.
• In the World Series, the DH rule changed over time. Sometimes it was used, sometimes not, or only in American League stadiums.
• The All-Star Game also adopted the DH rule gradually. Since 2010, both teams use a DH in the All-Star Game.
• During interleague play (when AL and NL teams played each other) before 2022, the home team's rules decided if a DH was used. If an AL team was home, there was a DH. If an NL team was home, the pitcher batted.
• In 2020, the National League used the DH for one season to help players during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Since 2022, both the American League and National League use the designated hitter in all games.

Why the DH Rule Started

The idea for a designated hitter came up a long time ago. Pitchers are amazing at throwing the ball, but many are not very good at hitting it. In the late 1800s, people noticed that pitchers' hitting skills were getting worse. This often made games less exciting because there were fewer hits and runs.

Early baseball leaders like William Chase Temple and Connie Mack suggested having a player bat instead of the pitcher. But pitchers themselves often didn't like the idea. Famous pitcher Addie Joss and even Babe Ruth (who was also a great hitter) thought pitchers should hit.

The DH Becomes a Reality

By the late 1960s, scoring in baseball was very low. To make games more exciting and increase offense, MLB made some changes. In 1973, the American League decided to try out the designated hitter rule.

New York Yankee Ron Blomberg was the first designated hitter during a regular season game.

On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees became the very first designated hitter in MLB history. He got a walk with the bases loaded in his first time at bat! As expected, the American League started having more hits and runs than the National League.

The National League didn't want to adopt the DH for many years. But eventually, the idea of having a universal DH gained more support. In 2022, MLB finally made the designated hitter rule universal for both leagues. This was a big change in baseball history!

Debate About the DH Rule

The designated hitter rule has always been a topic of discussion among baseball fans.

Arguments for the DH

• More Offense: Supporters say the DH makes games more exciting by adding more hitting and scoring. Instead of a pitcher who might strike out, a strong hitter comes to the plate.
• Player Careers: The DH role can help older players or those recovering from injuries. They can keep playing and hitting without the physical demands of playing defense. This lets fans enjoy their favorite players for longer.
• Specialization: It allows players to focus on their best skill, hitting, making them even better at it.

Arguments Against the DH

• Tradition: Critics argue that the DH changes the traditional game of baseball. They believe all nine players should hit and play defense.
• Manager Strategy: Without the DH, managers have to make tough decisions about when to let a pitcher bat or use a pinch hitter. This adds a layer of strategy that some fans miss.
• Balance: Some feel it creates an unfair advantage or changes the balance of the game between offense and defense.

One common argument for the DH in the National League was to protect pitchers from injuries while batting or running the bases. Pitchers are very valuable, and getting hurt while hitting is a risk.

Awards for Designated Hitters

Shohei Ohtani won four Most Valuable Player awards while playing the majority of his games at designated hitter. In 2024, Ohtani became the first MVP winner to play exclusively at DH.

Designated hitters can win many important awards in baseball.

Edgar Martínez Award

The Baseball Writers' Association of America gives an award each year to the best designated hitter. It's called the Edgar Martínez Award, named after the legendary Seattle Mariners DH. David Ortiz has won this award eight times, and Edgar Martínez himself won it five times. Shohei Ohtani has won it four times.

MVP and World Series MVP

• In 2021, Shohei Ohtani became the first everyday DH to win the league MVP award. He was also an amazing pitcher that season.
• Ohtani won his second MVP award in 2023, playing most games as a DH and also pitching.
• In 2024, Ohtani won his third MVP award, playing only as a DH due to an injury. This made him the first MVP winner to play exclusively as a DH.
• In 2025, Shohei Ohtani won his fourth MVP award, returning to both hitting and pitching. He also became the first designated hitter to win the NLCS MVP in 2025.
• Paul Molitor was the first DH to win the World Series Most Valuable Player Award in 1993. Other DHs like Hideki Matsui (2009), David Ortiz (2013), and Jorge Soler (2021) have also won this award.

Hall of Fame

It used to be rare for full-time DHs to get into the Hall of Fame. But this has changed!

• Frank Thomas was the first Hall of Famer who played most of his games at DH.
• In 2019, Edgar Martínez and Harold Baines were inducted. Martínez played over 70% of his games as a DH.
• In 2022, David Ortiz became the first full-time DH to be elected to the Hall of Fame on his first try. He played 88% of his career games as a DH.

Silver Slugger Award

The Silver Slugger Award goes to the best offensive player at each position. Before 2020, only American League DHs won this award. Since 2020, both leagues give out a Silver Slugger Award for designated hitters. Marcell Ozuna won the first National League DH Silver Slugger Award in 2020.

The DH Outside of Major League Baseball

The designated hitter rule is used in many baseball leagues around the world, not just MLB.

Professional Leagues

• Japan's Pacific League adopted the DH in 1975. Japan's Central League plans to adopt it in 2027.
• The Mexican League started using the DH in 1974.
• The Cuban National Series adopted the DH in 1977.
• The KBO League in South Korea introduced the DH in 1982.

Minor League Baseball

The DH is used in all Minor League Baseball (MiLB) games. This helps players get used to the rules they might see in the major leagues.

Amateur Baseball

• In American high schools, a DH can bat for any player, not just the pitcher. This allows coaches to use their best hitters more often.
• In college baseball, the DH must hit for the pitcher. However, if a pitcher is also a good hitter, the coach might let them bat for themselves. This player is called a P/DH (Pitcher/Designated Hitter).
• Little League Baseball usually doesn't use the DH, except in the Senior League (for ages 15–16). Some leagues use an "extra hitter" (EH) so all players get a chance to bat.

See also

In Spanish: Bateador designado para niños