American League (AL)

The American League (AL) is one of the two major leagues in Major League Baseball (MLB), the professional baseball organization in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1901, the AL originally operated as a rival to the National League (NL) but eventually merged into one league structure. It features 15 teams, including famous franchises like the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The AL is known for using a designated hitter rule, allowing a player to bat in place of the pitcher. Each season culminates in the World Series, where the AL champion faces the NL champion for the championship title.