[PAR] [TLE] History of the American League [SEP] The History of the American League, officially known as the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs and often abbreviated AL, stretched back into the late-19th century.  Prior to 2000, when the AL and NL were dissolved as separate entities and merged into the organization called Major League Baseball, the American League was one of the two leagues that made up major league baseball.  Originally a minor league known as the Western League, the league later developed into a major league after the American Association disbanded.  In its early history, the Western League struggled until 1894, when Ban Johnson became the president of the league.  Johnson led the Western League into major league status and soon became the president of the newly renamed American League.  The American League has one notable difference over the National League, and that is the designated hitter rule.  Under the rule, a team may use a batter in their lineup who is not in the field defensively, compared to the old rule that made it mandatory for the pitcher to hit. [PAR] [TLE] Designated hitter [SEP] 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.
[PAR] [TLE] History of the American League [ SEP ] The History of the American League , officially known as the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs and often abbreviated AL , stretched back into the late-19th century . Prior to 2000 , when the AL and NL were dissolved as separate entities and merged into the organization called Major League Baseball , the American League was one of the two leagues that made up major league baseball . Originally a minor league known as the Western League , the league later developed into a major league after the American Association disbanded . In its early history , the Western League struggled until 1894 , when Ban Johnson became the president of the league . Johnson led the Western League into major league status and soon became the president of the newly renamed American League . The American League has one notable difference over the National League , and that is the designated hitter rule . Under the rule , a team may use a batter in their lineup who is not in the field defensively , compared to the old rule that made it mandatory for the pitcher to hit . [PAR] [TLE] Designated hitter [ SEP ] 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 .
The American League adopted the designated hitter rule in 1973 prior to being dissolved as an entity and merged to form which organization?
The American League adopted the designated hitter rule in 1973 prior to being dissolved as an entity and merged to form which organization ?
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball