Before 1997, Major League Baseball (MLB) would segregate the American and National league as much as possible. Teams from both leagues would not play each other in a game that counted until the World Series, each league had their own governing body and umpires, and there were even differences in the rules like a change in the strike zone.
During interleague play when a game takes place in a National League ballpark, the American League team is expected to have their pitcher hit, and when the American League team is home, the National League team must use a designated hitter.
The DH rule has been debated ever since it was first used in the American League in 1973 but during interleague play every team gets a chance to allow their pitcher to hit or use a DH.
Traditionalists despise interleague play because they look at is as a perversion of nature and a stunt created after baseball went on strike to help teams fill the stands…and it worked.
A new generation of baseball fans love it because it allows you to see all the league’s best players in your own back yard and helps create regional rivalries like the Yankees and Mets or Cubs and White Sox.
With the Houston Astros moving to the American League next season, Major League Baseball will be mixing the leagues all year long, but what do you think of interleague play?
