The designated hitter (DH) is a player in baseball who bats in place of the pitcher, allowing the team to have a stronger offensive lineup. This rule is primarily used in the American League of Major League Baseball (MLB), where teams can choose to have a DH instead of having the pitcher bat. The designated hitter rule was introduced in 1973 to increase scoring and make the game more exciting. In contrast, the National League does not use the DH, requiring pitchers to bat for themselves. This difference in rules has led to ongoing debates among fans and players about the merits of each approach.