Walter Montego: Under national league rules they pretty much figure that the #9 batter is an out, yes the pitchers have practice but it is still limited, they would rather give up the out than risk injury, and the American league usually takes out their first baseman in order to put their dh at that spot giving them more offense. I would like to see the dh rule go, I am a traditionalist and don't like to see major changes in sports but like you I accept it