Interleague Play?
posted October 16, 2009 - 1:37am
Interleague Play
By: Kyle Bowman
Inter league play is the most ingenious and creative idea ever created.
These games through the 162 game season, creates the element of who the best league, team and players are in Major League Baseball.
These games create freshness, a new element to baseball. New match-ups with teams who have never faced each other, or rarely do means something exciting will go down on the diamond. More intriguing, is the contrasts of strategy, playing style and pace all in order to find the elusive victory, nine innings of grit, dirt and hard work for success. Strikeouts or homeruns make the difference in the swaying pendulum of time and energy that propels a team to win.
DH in the American League versus the traditional, old school, No DH. No Designated Hitter occurs in the National League. The pitcher has to bat. Either way, nine men struggle for nine innings as the pitcher tries to remain unscathed and get twenty-seven outs to end the game.
Inter league play provides the opportunity for lesser-known players to hone their skills. The National league with the pitcher having to bat creates a larger vaster bench for utility players. The frequency for power out of the nine hole- the last lineup spot is created by pinch-hitting. The draw back is taking a powerful and dominant starting pitcher and a double switch in later innings. Meaning, the utility bench player gets in for one at bat, then sits down and is out of the game.
Upon the return, for the opposing team; a new and yet fresh pitcher from the bullpen enters the game. Relief pitcher or Closer, this can be successful; for more dominance on the mound. Heaven forbid if it backfires and he doesn’t have his best stuff this day. He may end up the goat for that day, and bury himself on the mound. No one, no matter how rested or successful wants to get in to trouble, give up hits that may become the rally and or winning run.
This play also introduces the early emergence of the All Star game, where the year’s best from individual teams, represent their given sole league. They’re on the roster and in their spot for three innings.
In closing, this intrigue and contrast creates an intense and talented level of play. Two different leagues come together, as opposing National and American League teams do battle, a battle of strength and wills on this diamond. The skills of these teams clash like two titans. Who will blink first? Is the American or National League better? Arguments and fans are of either or, or both. One thing is for sure, baseball is true and at it’s best here; and the fans are also the true winners for seeing something special on these days.
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