The American League (AL) and the National League (NL) are the two leagues that form Major League Baseball, with 15 teams each. They compete separately all season, and their champions meet in the World Series.
A bit of history
The National League is the older one: it was born in 1876. The American League emerged in 1901 as a rival, and over time the two joined under MLB. For decades they were almost two separate worlds, with their own umpires and baseballs.
The difference that no longer exists
For 49 years the big difference was the designated hitter: the AL used it from 1973 and the NL didn’t. That changed in 2022, when the DH became universal. Today the rules are the same; the divide is mostly tradition, rivalries and history.
FAQ
Which is older?
The National League (1876); the American League is from 1901.
Are there still rule differences?
No: since 2022, with the universal DH, both leagues play by the same rules.
