A designated hitter (often shortened to DH) is an official position adopted by Major League Baseball's American League in 1973 that allowed teams to boost sagging offensive performances by designating a player to bat in place of the pitcher. Since then, most amateur and minor leagues have adopted the same or a similar rule, but the National and Central Leagues have not. Consequently, during interleague play, the rules of the home team's league apply to both teams.