<P> In baseball , the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 5.11 , adopted by the American League in 1973 . The rule allows teams to have one player , known as the designated hitter ( abbreviated DH ) , to bat in place of the pitcher . Since 1973 , most collegiate , amateur , and professional leagues have adopted the rule or some variant . MLB 's National League and Nippon Professional Baseball 's Central League are the most prominent professional leagues that do not use a designated hitter . </P>
<P> In baseball , the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 5.11 , adopted by the American League in 1973 . The rule allows teams to have one player , known as the designated hitter ( abbreviated DH ) , to bat in place of the pitcher . Since 1973 , most collegiate , amateur , and professional leagues have adopted the rule or some variant . MLB 's National League and Nippon Professional Baseball 's Central League are the most prominent professional leagues that do not use a designated hitter . </P>
when did the dh rule start in baseball
when did the dh rule start in baseball
1973
1973