What's your stand on the designated hitter rule and why?

The rule as implemented is fine. The AL chooses to use it, and the NL does not -- but in no way is the NL taking a moral stand, because no NL team visiting an AL team during interleague play, and thus entitled to use a DH in its lineup, has ever foregone the opportunity.

Pitchers batting is slightly amusing, but their ineptitude makes for predictable, textbook plate appearances. A few know what they're doing at the plate, but these are rare and they have ALWAYS been rare. Pitchers reach the majors for their pitching skills and everyone realizes this.

It is also true that, despite being in its 44th season, many teams have done a very poor job of using the DH role, of finding a hitting master who serves no worthy purpose with a glove, and let him DH all the time. As with good-hitting pitchers, there have been a few -- Martinez, Thomas, Ortiz -- but they really should not be all that hard to find.

The existence of the DH does not antagonize me or my baseball fandom (I have hardly known MLB without it). That the leagues do not operate universally does not antagonize me or my baseball fandom.

I look upon the DH as the cheese on a hamburger -- some like a hamburger, some prefer a cheeseburger, but the difference between is small and either can be enjoyed with ease. (Though American "cheese" is crap and one should always request Swiss or provolone first.)

Some people will argue that the DH is needed to keep pitchers from injuring themselves, while swinging the bat or running the bases, but that is a misguided stance to take.

Just yesterday, I watched Cleveland's Carlos Carrasco pull a hamstring while covering 1st base so using the injury argument, pitchers should not be required to do anything but throw the ball from the mound to reduce the chance of injury.

And what about pitchers hitting or playing the field in extra inning games this weekend? Shelby Miller did, and so did Zack Greinke. There were no concerns about injuries in this case because hitting and fielding are part of the game.

Many pitchers are the best athletes on their team in high school and college. It's only when they turn pro that they are pampered. The only thing the DH rule does is allow old players to remain in the game long past the point of usefulness. It creates more jobs for players so the MLBPA will never allow baseball to do away with it now.

I despise it with every fiber of my being. I am not averse to change. Love the 3-point shot in basketball and the shoot outs deciding victories in hockey.

But a designated hitter is a hitter-- not a baseball player. So far designated hitters have been excluded from the HOF. I can only hope that trend continues. Edgar Martinez was a great hitter, but he does not belong in the HOF because he did not excel at baseball.

Some old guy has the record for most consecutive free throws. He will never be in the basketball HOF because he did not do it playing basketball. DHs do not play baseball.

it's the worst rule ever put in the books. and the reason is as simple as the nose on your face. baseball is supposed to be played by 9 players, not 10. the national league managers actually have to do a little thinking during the course of a game. the american league managers fill out the line up and then scratch their *** for 9 innings. and it's just inconceivable to me that players like big pedy, i mean big papi, actually might make the hall of fame for batting 4 times a game and doing nothing else.

I like the DH. Pitchers already carry a huge load in regard to the team's success, so letting someone else bat while they take a breather is fine by me. I also enjoy seeing power hitters at work--those hits, home runs, and strike-outs speed the leisurely pace of the game for me.

I grew up in an AL city so I prefer the DH. Just hate to see when a NL pitcher is doing well in a close game and the team gets some baserunners with 2 outs and they pinch hit for him and his night is over. Don't get me wrong, I love the strategy involved in NL games, I just prefer the DH.

As long as both leagues adopt the same policies. However, the pitcher usually only bats every 5 days which is not a lot of playing time. Unless they can actually hit that's a big hole in the lineup.

It's been around for over 40 years. It's no longer debatable.

Both leagues should have it. Giving it to one league obviously shows favoritism. Also, more offense. Analysts ***** about the lack of offense nowadays, but they don't want to break tradition with an NL DH. One for both or none at all.

DH, No DH, it doesn't matter to me. Either way baseball is still the greatest game in the world.