I agree Zack! I love the nuance of watching a pitcher not only hitting home runs but singles, doubles, TRIPLES! Hell you never know you might see a pitcher steal a base in a double steal try. Regardless of how rare these might happen it’s always an exciting moment when it does. I respect your appreciation for all the minor rules that MLB has gotten rid of over years. I miss them all.

Bartolo Colon hitting a home run is one of the best moments ever for a pitcher going yard...

Agree 100% and it sucks being outnumbered in most comment sections. Seems like this move was inevitable, but I resisted it until today.

One of my favorite baseball memories growing up was watching Joe Blanton hit a home run in the 2008 World Series. As Phillies fans, my dad and I went nuts, but I will always remember how amazing it was that a pitcher hit a home run, especially in the World Series. Having the universal DH is understandable in many ways, but this specific memory is what got me into baseball and pitching. Getting rid of pitchers hitting takes away more memories like these children could make.

I totally agree with you Zack. I am a lifelong Cubs fan. I am going to miss all the strategy, and unexpected that happens when a pitcher is batting, or asked to bunt. When a manager has to decide to take pitcher out for a pinch hitter, or let him go another inning or two. And it is so fun when a pitcher hits a home run, or executes a perfect bunt when it he is hardly every bunted before (like John Lester in the playoffs). The National league just won't be the same anymore.

I mean I thought it was a great idea and I like it, but I respect your thoughts and opinions about the new rules.

i respectfully disagree, i love the idea of pitchers not getting injured due to injuries from hitting. I'll miss the strategy but in all i think this'll be the best for baseball. p.s. maybe a little biased due to the fact that jack flaherty got injured due to hitting

You hit the nail on the head, Zack! Well said. Hope to see you in Cincinnati this year!

I do understand the strategy but the fact that the two different leagues have a different rule is so odd for sports

At least now I’ll get to tell my grandkids that pitchers used to bat

Hey Zack! Everytime I see a vid of yours it makee me feel excited for tge season and your ball chasing vids. Fave youtuber fore sure thanks bro.

100% agree with you Zach I feel like Baseball a part of it has died, no more Orginal Double Headers, no more tackle Catchers, I hope they remove that runner on 2nd rule, I still remember Andy Pettie driving in 2 in 2009 World series

I agree here. I hate the universal DH. National League baseball is just so much better.

I couldn’t agree more. Perfectly spoken.

I agree with you zack, but baseball is fighting for peoples attention. Their competition is tik tok, youtube, facebook, sensationalized media, and other fast paced sports. People's attention spans are dramatically shorter than they were 20 or even 10 years ago. They require constant stimulation in order to pay attention. Even then, it's tough. So many of the decisions being made in baseball are an attempt to speed up the game and increase the action. More hits, more homers, more action. For us true "old school" baseball fans that appreciate the tiny nuances that others might not even notice, these changes are painful and sad. But we must accept them and their reasoning. Just enjoy the game and it's transitions throughout the years.

I totally agree with you Zack. I feel that the same 9 players in the defense should play the offense too. Otherwise, let's just be like the NFL and have separate teams for offense and defense.

I love baseball and love seeing big hits, so I didn't mind the DH but I see where your coming from and I agree, it's pretty cool when we see a pitcher get a big hit cuz it doesn't happen very often. MLB instead of saying hey let's help the pitchers become hitters, they've basically told pitchers to stick to pitching and that's dumb. Great video, Zack!!

Just odd seeing different rules in the two leagues. Glad they fixed it.

I couldn’t agree more with you! The nuances of the game are part of what makes it so great. It’s like if the NFL made a rule saying linemen couldn’t ever run the ball and we couldn’t see the big guys run it in at the big game. Thanks for your take. Spot on

I was lucky enough to see one in person. Taijuan Walker only career HR in July, 2017 at Chase Field.

It helps pitchers focus more on their pitching and also from them getting injuries from batting practice like deGrom. But I get your point.

Thank you for using your platform for speaking out on this issue. I'm honestly so disgusted by this news I've always rooted for the National League and now IDK if I can even bring myself to watch another game at this point :(

KZfaq: "Zach Hample is pissed" 😡 Me: "Damn, let me go and see what's your troubling the ball catching wizard." ⚾

From the words of Tom Glavine and Greg Maddux both pitchers. Chicks love the long ball.

Love the amazing strategy when pitchers just stand there and take 3 straight strikes 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

Watching SF Giants games, I remember a pitcher named Kirk Rueter who wasn't a good hitter, but teammates bought him a new $30,000 Rolex if he can hit a home run during live BP which he did. Kirk Rueter on a start faced Jose Lima (RIP) in 2004 Giants vs LA Dodgers. Facing a pitcher (9th batter) is a breather because you can utilize your stuff and show your craft if no one is on base. I think the owners did it for liability reasons because interleague is year around, American League pitcher isn't going to prepare to hit on opening day against a National League team. From a purist view, it takes out the strategy, because late in the game, the manager is making defensive switches, double switches (not to have the relief pitcher take an at bat), etc. One reason you have the long reliever/spot starter in the National League because they might have at least 1 to 2 at bats (National league long relievers take BP knowing they'll have at bat's during the year). It's hard to hit at the MLB level, go to Rex batting cages in South Los Angeles and the 90 mph cage, you can get a timing, but former 1st Rounder Matt Antonelli talks about the difficulty of MLB pitching compared to Single A - Triple A which minor leaguers who never been to the Show will struggle against big league pitching (Matt Antonelli described Bartolo Colon's two seam sinker as the nastiest fastball he has ever seen when Colon was doing a rehab start in AAA). Besides strategy, I liked the National League different than the American League and if they expand to 32 teams, Interleague shouldn't be year around because it takes away the uniqueness of that schedule. What made the World Series unique was seeing American League lineups in National league parks finding how to utilize their Designated Hitter (David Ortiz playing First Base or pinch hitting.

Agreed. Strategy is out the window. When your Pitcher is tired, pull him with no consequences: Where he is in the lineup, when he's due up, etc.. No more double switches and a lot less bunting. I loved that my NL wasn't doing it, but fine with the AL. Now there is no difference between the two leagues.

Love your videos zack thanks for the entertainment

Say what you want about the DH, but having the AL and NL have different rules about it was terrible and just dumb.

Sure hope we have a season. I would love to see Shohei.

Last year during the season, i was watching a reds game in the basement (im a die hard reds fan), and Tyler Mahle, one of our pitchers and our starting pitcher that night hit a DOUBLE! I was so excited screaming and clapping at the TV. It was so exciting, little did we know he would get out after the next batter hit but it still was a very memorable part of the season. I would watch every single reds game in the basement because my parents got tired of me watching it upstairs even tho my dads a reds fan as well. I understand your point of view and agree on some of it as well. I just want there to be a season this year, thats all im hoping for. Baseball is happiness

I haven’t even watched the video yet but I already gave it a thumbs up because you’re right and I trust that you’ll articulate it better than I ever will

Mate, I completely agree with you about all of this. When I heard this was a possibility I just laughed. Now it’s real and it’s really disappointing. (Thanks for the birthday video also from Australia)

I am not a fan of the universal DH- at ALL- I liked the strategy and always loved watching Cubs games on WGN and Braves games on WTBS-later TBS growing up so I could see a lot of National League action for that reason. I am from the Cleveland area so a lot of games I watched and went to were AL games in Cleveland. I liked seeing pitchers hit... once saw one at Three Rivers in Pittsburgh hit a double myself back in I think 1994. I am not happy with the rule change at all- even mentioned it to my father earlier about how I felt about it. I prefer the traditional ways myself as I am a very traditional fan of baseball. I will still watch the game because I love the game and it has been a passion of mine since I was in 4th grade. And I totally get your anger- when I saw the news earlier I was not happy at ALL. Looking forward to seeing your content and games you go to this upcoming season!

I personally hate it too, watching pitchers get hits was always so exciting for me, even as a Phillies fan having Pitchers that don't really hit well it's just upsetting for me The excitement I had when Gibson hit a Home Run this season was unreal it's gonna be rough but I'll hopefully get over it I guess we can hope for moments in extra innings where all bench players are used and Pitchers need to be used

Zac! I agree. As my grandfather Stu once said, “it’s not about the road, it’s about the car that has wheels and a steering wheel without a television”. Stu’s words remain true today and I just love the idea that you had about the oval shaped grilled cheese sandwich. Thanks Zak!

Watching most pitchers bat is just straight painful. Lets be honest here.

In 2021 pitchers had a -25 wRC+, I don't need to see them hit

I agree with you. Every player should have to have there turn at bat. Could you imagine if Shaquille O’Neal got fouled in a game and instead of him shooting the free throws, the team got to send out their best free throw shooter to take his place? That is what the DH is like. These are supposed to be professional athletes.

Hey Zack, love ur vids keep up the good work!

I get how it’s fun to see pitchers hit but it’s honestly just not worth pitchers risking themselves getting hurt or injured.

The reality is, having the AL and NL with two different rules is completely stupid. It's screws up the WS, and it's unfair to AL during inter-league play as NL pitchers get practice. It needs to be universal.

Zack, part of the reason I loved major league baseball (and some other sports) is that you can see things you've never seen before. I've seen hundreds of home runs. The increasing rate of home runs has made them much less exciting to me, unless they come from a hitter that is not expected to hit home runs. Furthermore, as the game, per cyber metrics, has become a game of strike out or hit it over the fence, bunts have become an oddity. Running the bases when the defense has a chance to throw the runner out is much more exciting than the home run trot. A squeeze play is a hundred times more exciting than another boring, expected home run and a hundred times more rare. The unicorn named "stealing home" is the most exciting offensive play in baseball. Some will argue, "nobody pays to watch a pitcher hit." Well, I don't pay to watch a catcher run, nor Nelson Cruz, for that matter. What's next? Courtesy runners like in parks and rec softball? Every fat guy that hangs on for a few more years to pad his stats and make a few million dollars more is making a really good AAA player stay down for another few years when we could be seeing some exciting new talent. Dude, Manfred is ruining this game. I've been streaming Central League (Japan) baseball because it is the last bastion of the real game.

I loved how it was before. There were rules for both leagues. National League Pitchers had to hit and in the American League there was a lazy Designated Hitter who didn't have to field and play defense. National League was more exciting because you never knew what you were going to get when the pitcher's shot came up. I will miss double switches and pinch hitting in the pitchers spot.

Zack i agree 100 percent. You said everything i wanted to say.

While I hear what your saying Zack, I respectfully disagree and think it moves the game along and makes it more fun to watch teams in the NL.

I agree pitchers hitting home runs is just so energizing, was at the Vince Velasquez home run game!

Adding to what you said about strategy, simultaneously if you have runners on base with 2 outs unless it’s base’s loaded 99% of the time the number 8 hitter is intentionally walked to get to the pitcher taking RBI’s away from the 8th in the order hitters. That’s why I really like this rule, because it really turns people who criticize guys like Degrom saying he only faces 8 actual hitters, well now he faces 9 just like every pitcher in the American League

Let the pitchers hit!

ZACH U R SOO RIGHT!

I get it and i agree. A pitcher going to bat was fascinating. You were looking like, ‘hey he just might hit that thing just wait’

Here's my 2 cents on this. On one hand 1. It'll mean pitchers can rest and not get hurt on the bases 2. they can focus on pitching more and not worry about hitting so much 3. more homeruns (hopefully) and more action from hitters BUT on the other hand which fits in with your points 1. it eliminates the strategy of baseball in terms of hitters and pitchers hitting 2. Less excitement in the game because people love a pitcher hitting a home run or figuring out a way to get on base to help their team. 3. Pitchers don't hit in general I do have 1 solutions 1. A pitcher can or could be used as a DH or a pinch hitter, like Madison Bumgardner when he pinch hit that one time. It'll still keep the game entertaining and more chances for the players. Above all, good video. I understand your points and your explanations. I may not fully agree with all of them, but hey it's your opinion and I'll respect your views.

WE NEED A UNIVERSAL NO DH, THIS IS BASEBALL, EVERYBODY HITS!!!!

THANK YOU ZACK. I hate the DH

I gotta disagree with this. Sure seeing pitchers do some incredible things sometimes is wacky and fun, and I think my view is biased because I got to watch and support David Ortiz his entire career, but there are still moments of magic and awe with DH’s that in my opinion offer a better chance for your team to win than having a pitcher step up to the plate in a big spot. Sure you can bring in a PH for the pitcher, but what if you need that guy to stay on the mound? Primarily I think of Ortiz’s grand slam against the Tigers in the 2013 ALCS, just an awesome moment and one that I’m really happy to have a clutch DH step up to the plate

One of my earliest memories of going to a MLB game was going to the game in which Randy Wolf hit 2 homers and a single with my dad and cousin. Also seeing Joe Blanton go yard in the 2008 WS was one of my favorite moments in an MLB game.

I wasn’t a fan of the different rules between leagues so I’m happy they straightened that down. However they did it the wrong way. They should have gotten rid of the dh in baseball entirely. I’m a big fan of rules that improve the athleticism in sports. It was so cool last season to see DeGrom getting more RBIs then his ERA. I love to see special talents and strategy. Let managers make hard decisions if they keep their pitcher in when their at bat is up. Imagine Ohtani having 3 more at bats every fifth game. The 3 batters minimum rule was great but this DH is terrible. I could write a six page monologue with a lot more reasoning about this lol. I’ll just say the next stop is a designated catcher. How about if you don’t want a pitcher hitting, have a 8 player batting order?

I’m not opposed to it because it really affects the National League more. As a fan of a NL franchise it might help my team a little bit. But I do agree it’s a bit of a shame to lose such an interesting component of NL baseball. I guess we’ll see what happens when MLB returns.

Honestly sir watching this video is great! I’m all for universal DH but you do make great points here!

Nippon Professional Baseball Central League in Japan still has their teams' pitchers batting.

Zack let’s agree to disagree. I love the NL strategy of double switching. I also love seeing pitchers hit and go yard. But if it means Cubs can re-sign Rizzo and he stays for the next ten years, I will begrudgingly support the rule.

As a Giants fan the dh has really turned me off to baseball. Just not the same. Always love it but its even more monotonous, less nuanced. Pitchers NEED to hit, REAL BASEBALL . Real baseball is dead in mlb…..its offense ball, not baseball

National League games were far more interesting. More players in the game, more strategy. Does the 8th hitter get a hit with 2 outs so that the pitcher doesn't lead off the next inning? Does the pitcher walk the 8th hitter to get to the pitcher? Does the pitcher get a hit? Does the manager pinch hit for the pitcher even though he is pitching well. If so, does he have more strength with his bullpen? Does he have good pinch-hitters. Home runs are getting boring now. We may never see a sac bunt again, something pitchers would do. Loved the Blue Jays-Phillies World Series when Cito Gaston had his relief pitcher bat even though Toronto was behind. He needed someone who could get outs and had faith that his offense would prevail. He was right. Love that kind of gutsy managing.

Best moment in my young baseball watching career: Big Sexy hitting his epic homerun off James Shields of the Padres on May 7 in the year of 2016!

I am rather conflicted on this. I do appreciate the strategy aspect of managers double switching and what not. But sadly, most fans don't want to watch strategy, they want action.

I like the DH rule. When your paying a pitcher 250 million to win you games and go deep into games.. you don’t want that guy getting hurt doing something he doesn’t normally do. Not a good risk

I agree that it’s exciting when pitchers get big hits, but it’s not worth waiting like 30 plate appearances.

I agree! I loved the pitchers hitting. I am a Mets fan. And I seeing DeGrom hit is fun!

Yep, DH rule in general is stupid, let alone both leagues now. Although, I do think rules should be the same in both leagues. DH rule should be abolished.

The amount of good pitching games go up now

In my opinion i'm happy with the universal DH because like you said pitchers are the worst hitters and in every other league there's a DH minor leagues, high school, college etc. Also this protects pitchers from getting injured. As a Yankees fan I always think of Chien-Ming-Wang who was seriously injured running the bases in a game years ago and since that injury he wasn't the same pitcher. So i'm glad they're doing away with pitchers hitting but I respect your opinion Zack.

I'm 100% with you! I was disappointed to hear about the universal DH. The ONE AND ONLY thing I "like" about it is that it opens up more opportunities for players to become full-time everyday players as DH's......but, like you, I was always a big fan of how different AL and NL ball was played/managed. I'll miss it. Also: Hample for Comissioner 💪🏽

Hey Zack there’s 15 more homerun hitters you can catch!! Every change sucks short term but you’ll eventually learn it… and hey, if a pitcher really wants to hit one game, there’s no saying they can’t!! Mad Bum hit in 2 of his starts at Oakland a few years back!! Love the content Zack!!

There is a section in Rule 5.11 that says it is not necessary to include a DH in a lineup, failure to do so precludes the DH for that game.

Great argument Zack and reasoning. The sport of baseball has a rich history and the tradition should have stayed. I hate how things are changing as well.

I'm just glad I won't need to explain to someone what a double switch is.

As a non American who makes many attempts to "get into" American sports, I am repeatedly driven away by the bizarre American obsession with such extreme specialisation that many guys are never required to do anything except the one thing in the world they are good at - and we are all supposed to be super impressed when they are good at the thing they are good at, for some reason. I treasured the National Leagues resistance to the designated hitter for that reason. Oh well.

I like the universal DH. It was made as a result of Shohei Ohnati a pitcher who also hits and hits very well. MLB first 2 way player that’s actually good at both hitting and pitching. And let’s be honest. 2 leagues with 2 different versions of the game just feels odd. DH players had to stay in the AL for their careers. In the NL they would have to fight for a position on the field or else they would become a substitute fielder or a pinch hitter after the starting pitcher is done.

My favorite in person baseball experience is watching Kerry Wood going yard!

My biggest complaint is that Manfred is more concerned about changing MLB rules and not fixing the lockout.

Is your promo code for seat geek still active, I’m wanting to go to a quad city storm hockey game and I saw they were listed on that app

Did you know that Dasani Water is better for you?! It has salt in it, to retain the water in your body, which helps you stay hydrated longer and feel better. -Nutritionist

do you have any kind of pattern for your VHS collection ...or are they in just random order??

I think I agree with this. Like, I think this rule is dumb because some pitchers can actually hit, but not everyone can hit. Yeah, the goal is to speed up the action and make the younger generation enjoy the game, but the old school/OG fan would actually like to see the pitchers hit to acknowledge the awkwardness, weirdness and overall coolness of the game. It just doesn't make sense.

Agree 100%. Well said. Another reason I hate the DH is that it breaks the perfect symmetry of 9 vs 9 players. The number 9 is magic in baseball.

Well-reasoned thoughts as usual. For the longest time I’ve held your opinion, mostly because of the strategy implications. But I am thinking that this will make not one but two more places in the lineup a little more exciting to watch since so many #8 hitters don’t get crap to hit without any protection. I can also understand the safety issue. Over the last few years, it’s become evident (at least to me) that pitching velocity is all that seems to matter and if they have control than it’s a bonus. It seems like some of these pitchers just out there to fire it don’t always know where the ball going. Look at what happened to Kevin Millar last year. Look at all these guys getting TJ surgery. Anyway, I suppose I’m guardedly optimistic about this rule change but it’s definitely a trade off in other areas, for sure. We’ll see what happens. BTW, I still think Rob Manfred needs a one-way ticket out of town.

Do a video ranking all the mlb stadiums. Not just ones best for catching balls but just the best stadiums to watch the game

Q&A: if you could choose one mlb team to own, which one would it be and why?

I agree and I would like to see the half hour video on the fun that is being removed.

Agree on all counts. Another nail in the coffin for sac bunts. Great work Z!

Zack I completely agree with you. I think having the pitcher hit is unique and is a tradition and had been one for like 100+ years. I 100% agreed with everything you say in this video.

I have to give my support to this. If you take the field, you have an AB.

I agree with ya Zach. I hate the DH rule. It definitely takes a certain strategy out of the game. Also yes I could imagine u as the commish. Lol how epic would that be.

Love hearing your opinion Zack!!!

Gotta agree with ya Zack. I love the strategy in NL baseball more than the power slugging of the AL. I am kinda excited about this new rule though not gonna lie. I think it’s a nice change of pace. I’m still mostly sad though.

I 100% agree. My best memory of a weeklong baseball vacation I took a few years back was seeing King Felix hit an unexpected grand slam.

Are you going to make it to Great American Ballpark this year if theres a season lol

I was hoping to see Zack Greinke go to an NL team so we could see him hit again most starts.

You nailed it at the end, it is rewarding one dimensional players. It's like swapping out someone who makes it to first for a pinch runner whose only goal is to steal bases. MLB is probably the only sport where you have to be good at everything (throwing, hitting, running bases, etc.). To be an athlete, you have to be more than one dimensional. I want to like baseball more, and you are one of the few content creators that helps relieve that itch. But, the league keeps shooting themselves in the foot, wondering why fans keep leaving. It's not just baseball, it's just about every major league sport that doesn't understand what the fans want, but think they do. If you've never heard of the infamous quote from Blizzard's J. Allen Brack, "you think you do, but you don't," I feel is how most of the major league owners think when it comes to their fans critiques.

just remember trevor bauer mimicking his teammates batting stances? An AL pitcher hitting randomly is hilarious