Quote:
Originally posted by Dakota
I have a fairly simple view of such acts. Yes, Molina was not where he was supposed to be. Yes, the umpire failed to enforce the on-deck rule. Yes, Christensen's pitching coach taught him to brush back opposing players trying to time his pitches. Yes, the head coach probably knew this. Blame, blame, blame.
HOWEVER....
Ben Christensen was a legal adult. He, therefore, should be held singularly and individually responsible for HIS decision to throw a fast ball directly at Molina's head. Molina was 15-25 feet off to the side. This was an intentional act intended to harm Molina. Perhaps Christensen did not understand the extent of the damamge he could cause, but he did understand that it would cause harm, and he did it intentionally.
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I agree that Christensen needs to be held accountable, but I don't agree that he should be held
solely responsible if that's what you mean by "singularly and individually for HIS decision". Even as a legal adult, he is a product of the system in which he operates. If an authority such as his coach says to "brush back" (not hit) or hit an opposing player, there are penalties that operate against him for failure to comply. He doesn't get to pitch and his potential for a career beyond college is limited. Even when someone like him gets to the Majors, those same external pressures operate. These are exactly the same sorts of pressures that caused ordinary German citizens to ignore and at times even participate in NAZI offenses against the Jews. Peer and authority pressures are a powerful influence when they operate in a competitive environment and survival is at stake.
If Molina had been prevented from being in the wrong place by the umpire, in all probabilty the offense would not have been committed. The umpire is therefore partially culpable.
If Christensen's pitching coach had not told him that this was what was expected of him in these circumtances, in all probability the offense would not have been committed. The pitching coach is therefore partially culpable.
If Wichita State had made its coaching staff specifically aware that victory would not be appreciated or rewarded if it came at the cost of dangerous and illegal behaviour, in all probability the offense would not have been committed. Wichita State is therefore partially culpable.
If the NCAA had not declared it offensive for a batter to be in the on deck circle nearest the opposition dugout, in all probability the offense would not have been committed. The NCAA is therefore partially culpible.
No, Dakota, Christensen may well be a legal adult but he did NOT act alone in the commission of this offense, even if he deserves the lion's share of responsibility for waiting until Molina wasn't watching to take his sickening action. Holding the umpire free from culpability for his failure to enforce the rules, as he is expected and required to do, is NOT in the interests of other umpires or the game itself.
BTW, I don't think this was about "timing pitches". Molina could have done that equally from his own on deck circle. It was about WHERE he was, not WHAT he was doing.
Cheers,