designated hitter

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "designated hitter" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in the context of baseball to refer to a player who bats in place of the pitcher in the lineup. Example: "The team's strategy changed when they decided to use a designated hitter for the game."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Wells was the designated hitter.

The New York Times

What about designated hitter?

The New York Times

No designated hitter helps.

The New York Times - Sports

He is a designated hitter.

The New York Times - Sports

There was no designated hitter.

The New York Times

Now Posada is a designated hitter.

The New York Times - Sports

We'll make him the designated hitter.

The New York Times - Sports

Luke Voit, the designated hitter, stranded seven.

The New York Times - Sports

He was the designated hitter, batting second.

The New York Times - Sports

THE SETUP -- The designated hitter is used.

The New York Times - Sports

He could have been a designated hitter.

The New York Times - Tech

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about baseball, use "designated hitter" for clarity, particularly when the context requires specifying this role. The abbreviation "DH" is also acceptable in more informal contexts or where the full term has already been established.

Common error

Avoid using "designated hitter" to refer to any substitute batter. The term specifically applies to a player who bats in place of the pitcher in leagues that use the designated hitter rule.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "designated hitter" primarily functions as a noun, specifically identifying a player role in baseball. As Ludwig AI suggests, this term is used to denote a batter who substitutes for the pitcher in the batting lineup.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

8%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "designated hitter" is a well-established term, primarily used in baseball to describe a player who bats in place of the pitcher. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in News & Media sources, it maintains a neutral register. When writing about baseball, using "designated hitter" ensures clarity; "DH" is an acceptable abbreviation in informal settings. Avoid using it to refer to any substitute batter, as it has a specific meaning. Related terms include "DH", "offensive substitute", and "batting replacement", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts with nuanced differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

DH

Shorthand abbreviation for "designated hitter".

offensive substitute

Focuses on the role of the player as a substitute primarily for offensive purposes.

batting replacement

Emphasizes the player's function of replacing another in the batting order.

pinch hitter

Implies a specific situation where a batter is substituted, usually in a crucial moment, even if "designated hitter" has a more general meaning.

offensive specialist

Highlights the player's specialized role in contributing to the team's offense.

hitter in the lineup

A general way to refer to a player whose primary role is batting.

power hitter

Highlights the hitting capabilities focusing on power.

cleanup hitter

Refers to a batter who typically bats fourth in the lineup, aiming to drive in runners.

substitute batter

Broader term referring to any batter who comes in as a substitute.

primary batter

Highlights a player's main role is batting.

FAQs

How to use "designated hitter" in a sentence?

You can use "designated hitter" to describe a player whose primary role is to bat in place of another player. For example: "The team's strategy changed when they decided to use a "designated hitter" for the game".

What is the role of a "designated hitter" in baseball?

A "designated hitter" is a player who bats in place of the pitcher. This role is common in the American League but not in the National League.

What can I say instead of "designated hitter"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "DH", "offensive substitute", or "batting replacement".

Is the "designated hitter" rule controversial in baseball?

Yes, the "designated hitter" rule is a frequent topic of debate among baseball fans. Some argue it improves offensive output, while others believe it detracts from the traditional strategy and flow of the game.