Designated Hitter Rule

Definition

The designated hitter rule allows teams to use another player to bat in place of the pitcher. Because the pitcher is still part of the team's nine defensive players, the designated hitter -- or "DH" -- does not take the field on defense.

The rule was adopted by the American League in 1973, while pitchers continued to hit in games played at National League parks. The designated hitter was adopted by the National League as part of the 2022-26 collective bargaining agreement.

The DH must be selected prior to the game, and that selected hitter must come to bat at least one time -- unless the opposing team changes pitchers prior to that point. A team that chooses not to select a DH prior to a game is barred from using a DH for the rest of that game. A player who enters the game in place of the DH -- either as a pinch-hitter or a pinch-runner -- becomes the DH in his team's lineup thereafter.

If a player serving as the DH is later used on defense, he continues to bat in his same lineup spot. But for the rest of the game, his team cannot use a DH to bat in place of the pitcher. A team is also barred from using a DH for the rest of the game if the pitcher moves from the mound to another defensive position, a player pinch-hits for any other player and then becomes the pitcher, or the current pitcher pinch-hits or pinch-runs for the DH.

The DH rule was amended prior to the 2022 season to afford additional flexibility to starting pitchers who bat for themselves. Such a player is considered two separate people for the purposes of the DH rule. If the player is replaced as the pitcher, he can continue as the DH, and if the DH is replaced, he can continue as the pitcher (but can no longer bat for himself).

History of the rule

The designated hitter rule was adopted by the AL in 1973. Prior to 2022, pitchers were required to bat in all NL games and Interleague games in which the NL team was the designated home team. A universal DH was also in place as a one-season exception in 2020, as part of health and safety protocols instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The DH was not used in the World Series from 1973-75, then was used by both World Series teams during even-numbered years from '76-85. The practice of playing each game by the rules of the designated home team's league began in the 1986 World Series.