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Originally posted by bobbrix
Yes, I would say spite.
The spirit of the game is certainly to have pitchers try to challenge the batter by throwing strikes. Particularly with youth fast pitch. (Not sure where youth would end, but I cant say Ive seen 14-15 year olds intentionally walking somebody in an obvious manner.)
The case I speak of is the 2nd one Ive seen. Both times the defense coach loudly proclaiming walk her and both times the offense coach going nuts. So, CecilOnes statement Intentional walks are dumb in amateur league play, but at that age are something unmentionable. is definitely a fact.
Given the reaction of the offense coaches in the two instances Ive seen, if the defense wants to walk someone they should have a signal or some non-obvious way of getting that message to the pitcher. And then have the pitcher throw pitches just outside of the strike zone (not that thats easy for youth pitchers to do). Maybe more risk that a batter might reach and hit one, but at least avoiding the chance of the opposing coach throwing a fit.
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Perhaps you play a more genteel version of softball. I have seen intentional walks at all age levels when the importance of the game and the situation came together. Why you would characterize the defensive coach as "spiteful" but have little to say about the offensive coach being, well, offensive is a mystery to me.
The statement
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Intentional walks are dumb in amateur league play, but at that age are something unmentionable.
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is not a fact, but an opinion. I understand the basis of the opinion, and would consider a coach who would use the intentional walk in regular league or rec play to be out-of-line (but not illegal), but take that same age team and have them in the finals of a State or National Tournament, and you have a different situation where using this tactic to win is entirely appropriate and honorable (IMO).
And, requiring the defense to actually throw four pitches outside of the strike zone to get the intentional walk places a bit more burden on the defense. Again, appropriately.
If the batter is feeling offended by this, she shouldn't. She should feel respected.