[Joy in Mudville]

Beginning next season the Joy in Mudville will add a designated hitter to its American League play.

A vote of league participants puts the rule in effect with the 1973 season opener. The final tally had six league managers voting for proposal as an AL-only iniative. There were two votes to make it a league-wide rule. Those votes came from Rick B. of the Cleveland and Philadelphia ownership and Bryan S. of Kansas City and New York.

"I fail to understand why the National League would continue to have one position in the batting order occupied by someone with clearly inferior hitting abilities," Rick B. said. "Football teams no longer have the same players play offense and defense, and the game is better because of it. Change is a part of growth, and the National League owners need to wake up or they risk becoming an inferior counterpart to the American League."

However, the Texas and San Diego management team felt differently.

"The fans have been clamoring for more offense," said Dan S. of the Rangers and Padres. "We have responded. Hopefully this leads to more exciting games that puts fannies in the seats. For me personally, give me a good 2-1 pitching duel any day."