AL

American League

One of the two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. The other league is the National League (NL). The American League and National League were originally founded as separate entities but have been operating under the MLB umbrella since their merger in 1903.

The AL differs from the NL mainly by the use of the designated hitter rule, which allows a player to bat in place of the pitcher without requiring the pitcher to leave the game. This rule is not traditionally used in the National League, leading to strategic differences between the leagues. However, there have been discussions and temporary rules that have allowed the designated hitter in the NL as well.

The American League consists of 15 teams divided into three divisions: East, Central, and West. The league’s teams compete throughout the regular season, to win their division or secure a wildcard spot to advance to the postseason playoffs, which eventually lead to the World Series, where the AL champion faces off against the NL champion.

• Abbreviation: AL