Ask AI: What are the differences between the National League and the American League in Major League Baseball?

In Major League Baseball (MLB), the National League (NL) and the American League (AL) are the two leagues that make up the organization. While both leagues have the same basic rules and regulations, there are some notable differences between them: 1. **Designated Hitter Rule**: - The most significant difference historically has been the use of the Designated Hitter (DH). The AL has utilized the DH rule, allowing teams to designate a player to bat in place of the pitcher, since 1973. This means pitchers in the AL do not generally bat. - The NL traditionally did not adopt the DH rule, requiring pitchers to bat for themselves. However, starting from the 2022 season, MLB introduced the universal DH, meaning the DH rule is now in effect in both leagues. 2. **Playoff Format and Structure**: - While the overall playoff format in MLB is the same for both leagues, with the postseason including the Division Series, Championship Series, and the World Series, there are slight historical differences in how teams were initially qualified for the playoffs. However, these differences have mostly converged in recent years. 3. **History and Origins**: - The NL, founded in 1876, is the older of the two leagues. - The AL was established in 1901 as a rival to the NL before the two leagues merged in the early 20th century to form what is known today as Major League Baseball. 4. **Team Locations and Historical Rivalries**: - Each league has its own set of teams with regional rivalries. Interleague play, introduced in 1997, allows teams from the NL to play teams from the AL during the regular season, which was previously limited to the World Series. - Traditional rivalries between teams often span many decades and can sometimes be league-specific. For example, the New York Yankees (AL) and the Boston Red Sox (AL) have one of the most storied rivalries in sports. 5. **All-Star Game**: - The MLB All-Star Game features players from both leagues (AL vs. NL). Historically, the league that won the All-Star Game earned home-field advantage for its representative in the World Series. However, this practice ended in 2017, and home-field advantage is now determined by regular-season records. 6. **Umpiring Crews (Historical)**: - There were historic differences in how umpires were assigned to games, though this has been standardized across MLB in the modern era. Overall, while the differences between the National League and American League have diminished over time, particularly with the introduction of the universal DH, the leagues still retain a sense of individual identity and historical significance within Major League Baseball.