[DG]

Originally posted by cbfoulds
OK:
1. It's NOT in the Book; there simply is no such rule.
2. "Local Rules" be damned: the Babe Ruth and LL books both contain rules which clearly state that there is no authority for "local" changes in the playing rules without approval from the National Office. Therefore, the [regrettably common] insanities of "must slide" local rules are NOT PERMITTED. Next time some yokel "calls you" on one of these "local rules" that contradicts the published Official Rules, ask to see the letter from the National Office approving it.

Now, all that said, I have been in a similar situation; and there is a way, if you absolutely MUST, for safety, get that kid off the mound. Usually, this happens when a team has only one real pitcher, and (s)he is being "saved" for the money game - the kid on the mound is a danger to himself & others, and is beaning folk right and left.

This is Tournament, right? And, perhaps a "select" All-Star team? Which means that the kids SHOULD be good enough to do their jobs: which also SUGGESTS that the beanings MIGHT be intentional. This is a judgment call, obviously. While you are pondering your judgment, consider that it is hardly in the team's interest to be giving free passes by boinking batters accidentally, and the fact that the Coach isn't pulling his pitcher who seems to be consistently doing this also SUGGESTS intentionality, and by the way, that he is doing this at the direction of his Coach.

There is a book response for a pitcher who intentionally hits batters, or even throws AT them, right? And for his Coach who is instructing him to do so?

So, you might want to consider discussing these troublingthoughts with Bonko's Coach along these lines:

U: Gee, Coach, that's the 10th hit batter in the last two innings; I'm starting to worry that maybe this is intentional.

C: Hell, no, Blue, he's just wild tonite.

U: Well Coach, I can't just take your word for it, you know. I obviously don't want to eject anybody, and I've been giving y'all the benefit of the doubt so far. It's entirely up to you of course, but I hope you'll think about replacing that pitcher. Next guy he hits may convince me that it's on purpose, and I'll have no choice but to act then.

C: You can't do that!!!

U: Well, it is a JUDGMENT CALL, I'll just have to use my best judgment. I'm just asking you to use yours. OK, let's play ball.

OK, it's a long post. The solution, if you ABSOLUTELY MUST poke in, is to treat the HBP as an intentional beaning: don't "remove" the pitcher from the mound, eject him from the game. That IS in the rule book, and you'll "win" every protest - use the magic words, "In My Judgment".

But: "Local Rules require that the pitcher be lifted after 4 HBP"? B#!!&#!%%

Local leagues are going to add whatever extra rules they like and there is no need grumbling about it. Learn what they are and play by them. No big deal. Classic exmpale is time limits. Many have them, especially in the younger age groups. You can't go to the plate meeting and say "we are not going to use that local rule because it is not endorsed by the home office".

If you are going to go to the coach and say that you are going to render a judgement that the pitcher is throwing intentionally at the batter you may as well tell him if he stays in he is going to walk every batter. If the league has a "hit four batters rule" then remove him when he hits four batters. Everyody on both sides will know the local rule and nobody will argue about it, and parents for batting team will be extremely happy with your solid knowledge and enforecment of the local rules.