Batter Up! Moral Hazard and the Effects of the Designated Hitter Rule on Hit Batsmen

Authors

William F. Shughart II, Utah State UniversityFollow
Brian L. Goff
Robert D. Tollison

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Economic Inquiry

Volume

35

Publication Date

1997

First Page

555

Last Page

561

Abstract

American League batters have been hit by pitches 10% to 15% more frequently than National League batters since the designated hitter rule was introduced in 1973. This evidence is consistent with the idea that the American League s adoption of the designated hitter rule created a classic moral hazard problem. Because they are not required to appear at the plate, American League pitchers can throw at opposing hitters with greater impunity (i.e., at lower cost) than National League pitchers who must take their turns at bat and, hence, bear more of the costs of their own actions.

Recommended Citation

Batter Up! Moral Hazard and the Effects of the Designated Hitter Rule on Hit Batsmen” (with Brian L. Goff and Robert D. Tollison), Economic Inquiry 35 (July 1997), pp. 555–561; reprinted in Andrew Zimbalist (ed.), The Economics of Sport, vol. II, The International Library of Critical Writings in Economics 135, ed. by Mark Blaug, Northampton, MA, USA and Cheltenham, UK: Edward Elgar, 2001, pp. 576–582.