[greymule]

I've done similar games, usually at high level. Sometimes they really get mad when the score is lopsided and somebody nails the pitcher. In the Trentonian Tournament last year (350+ teams), a pitcher at the top level was smashed in the foot by a ball off a Miken and hospitalized. We didn't have any trouble with that one, but there seems to be a code at the high level that you don't smash the middle, especially in a runaway. Even in the local leagues, the players apologize when they hit one past the pitcher.

The UIC meeting in March, we learned that some leagues in New Jersey were considering a ban on hitting up the middle. Another league had in fact banned running from the back of the box to the front of the box to hit the ball.

The consensus was that such rules should not be instituted. ("No hitting up the middle" is far too vague and could be thought to cover soft liners over the pitcher.) The players were correct: how can they tell you where to hit the ball? Also, since when is running up on a pitch necessarily dangerous to the pitcher?

They are trying to put bandaids on the severe problem slow pitch faces: the bats and balls are simply too hot for safe play. When you see top-flight players wearing lexan masks to pitch or play 3B, you know something is seriously wrong with the game.

When I played, the pitcher was a key defensive asset to your team. Now, they throw it and try to get out of the way.