I was never really into baseball, but the past 2 or 3 years I have been kind
of drawn to the game. I never played it when I was a kid, so I never really
learned much of the strategy. Here are my questions that I would be too
embarrassed to ask in person (thank god for the net).

1. The DH. How does 1 position make a such a difference in lineups? I hear
people say in the NL you face about 6 itters, while the AL you face 9. How
does it strengthen 3 positions?

2. Why are certain positions associated with certain abilities? Like 3B has
power. Why can's SS have power? It seems like as long as you had the
abilities on your team it shouldn't matter at what position they come from.

Thanks for helping me be less of an idiot.

Cable

Cable wrote:

I've never heard that one. In the NL you face 8 hitters (plus a pitcher
who usually can't hit well), not 6 hitters. Can you tell us where you
heard "6 hitters?"


Shortstops can have power. Alex Rodriguez played short before going to
the Yankees, and he has plenty of power. Miguel Tejada has power.

Generally, though, the more important the defensive position, the more
likely it is that a team will tolerate a poor hitter at that position as
long as he can field well. Conversely, the less important the defensive
position, the more likely a team will tolerate a poor fielder as long as
he can hit. That's why, for example, first basemen generally hit better
than shortstops and catchers.


You're not being an idiot - these are good questions for a neophyte.

--
- Jeff Lichtman
Author, Baseball for Rookies
http://baseball-for-rookies.com/

"Jeff Lichtman" <swazoo@rcn.com> wrote in message
news:h_udnZtUx8PScpzYnZ2dnUVZ_tCdnZ2d@rcn.net...

Somewhere on sports radio (WFAN specifically). Not sure if it was a caller
or the host. The context was how much stronger the AL has been, and what the
DH had to do with making pitchers better, and how it would probably come
that the NL would eventually adopt the rule.


Just a little self-depreciating humour.

Cable

In article <a2KMg.43624$ok5.18197@dukeread01>,
"Cable" <nomail@nowhere.com> wrote:


No, that will never happen. I know so many National League fans who feel
very passionately that AL baseball isn't "real" baseball and they would
never ever accept the DH.

--
JD

"...if you think the 'Star Wars' prequels are a disease, then
'Serenity' is the cure."