Styles, Rules Clash When Interleague Games Mix It Up

The introduction of interleague play will showcase a long-held truth about major league baseball. The leagues play different games with different styles under different rules.

The major difference is the designated hitter. The American League uses it. The National League disdains it. Consider the other, more subtle differences between the leagues that cannot be found in the rule book:

The American League is a high-strike league. The National League is a low-strike league.

This stems from the umpire’s chest protector. The N.L. went to an inside protector first, and that allowed its umpires to move closer to the catcher and get a better look at the low pitch. The A.L. stayed with the outside “bubble” protector longer, and its umpires could neither see nor call the low pitch.

The A.L. tolerates most pick-off moves. The N.L. has umpire “Balkin’ Bob” Davidson.

Because running is not a vital part of the A.L. game, the balk rule is loosely interpreted. After 393 games this season, league umpires had called only 26 balks.

In the speed-oriented N.L., umpires keep a vigilant watch for balks. The N.L. had 52 balk calls after 403 games.

Davidson has made the balk call an obsession. His crew has called more than one-third of the N.L.’s balks in the last five seasons.

Without the pitcher clogging the lineup, the A.L. plays for the big inning. With the pitcher usually giving up three outs a game, the N.L. plays for one run. The A.L. had 189 sacrifice bunts after 393 games. The N.L. had 350 sacrifices after 403 games.

N.L. pitchers, given the benefit of big parks, will throw the fastball when behind in the count and risk the homer rather than the walk. A.L. pitchers, given the handicap of small parks, refuse to give in with the fastball and prefer giving up a walk rather than a fly ball that could become a homer.

A.L. hitters adapt to the N.L. style. Former Cleveland center fielder Kenny Lofton ranks among the N.L.’s top five for average with Atlanta this season.

N.L. hitters have trouble with the A.L. style. Former N.L. All-Stars Matt Williams of Cleveland and Carlos Garcia of Toronto cannot get their average above .260.