<i> Originally posted by polyck
Anyone have an opinion on intentional walks used during youth baseball games? is it fair to the batter or pitcher? how is it perceived?

This child is only 11 years old, the level of his skill is exceptional both offensively and defensively. </i>

Since we are talking about kids who do not shave, I do not think it's sportsmanlike to Intentionally walk an 11 yr. old.

The baseball gurus can rectify this situation a little. Baseball is the ONLY Sport which can actually take away a TEAMS best player.

You can try it in basketball / football but it is not guaranteed. Michael Jordan was Double / Triple Teamed but he still scored 30 a game. Lawrence Taylot (LT) was often double / triple teamed as well but that did not stop him from getting to the QB. However, in baseball you can simply avoid confrontation by the IW.

IMO, the IW is what detracts from baseball. People do not go to the game to watch their STAR get walked. One way around it would be to make a walk (Any type of walk not just an intentional walk) a 2 base award instead of a one base award.

Intentional walks mostly occur when a runner is on second and the teams best hitter is coming up and a weak hitter is on deck. The coach doesn't want to risk it. However, if the award were 2 bases it would FORCE F1 to pitch to the batter or give up a Gimme run.

In Summary, IMO I do not think it's appropriate no matter what level of competition for a team to IW an 11 yr. old.

Pete Booth

IW a batter at the youth levels is no guarantee of anything working out for the defense. For one, most kids cannot turn a double play in the first place. This can be a hard thing for even some HS teams at times. Putting a runner on the base can be an automatic run if the defense does not field what is considered to be a "routine" play. If that tactic worked, you might see it more often. But it usually it completely backfires and the ball hit right to the SS goes over his head or thru the legs and that runner ends up on 3rd base with no outs.

IW are apart of the game. There is no reason that kids that age cannot handle that. They might not get a chance to bat, but they are on base and get to run the bases. Not sure why this is an issue?

Peace

Let's have them use tennis rackets for bats and give them five strikes instead of three. Your suggestion is no better.

Or just bean him on the first pitch. Freezes the runners, and saves wear and tear on the pitcher's arm. :)

Intentional Walk?
 

Rich,
I have to agree with you. Our job as officials is to administer the rules as they're written. That's all.

If we don't like the rule . . . who cares? We may have to sympathize; but that's as far as it can go.

I have "overruled" the rules in some youth leagues; as far as having to pitch four times. It doesn't make any sense in time-limit games.

Jerry

Re: Intentional Walk?
 

Excuse me, but doesn't your last statement completely contradict your first two?

Dave,
No conflict at all. What I was advocating was to enforce the rules as they're written. That part's a "no-brainer".

However, some circumstances (such as impending darkness, time limit, age of the participants and safety concerns; to name just a few)dictate the UIC needs to act prudently and diplomatically but without jeopardizing the integrity of the game.

A matter of priorities actually. I prefer to manage games on the side of safety and expediency, while others would prefer following the "letter of the law" . . . even if it means not being able to complete a game.

Jerry

So, to summarize:

If I deviate from the written rule, that's wrong.

If you deviate, it's allowed.

;)

Bob,
Finally! A voice of understanding!

Hmmmmm. Didn't a MLB All Star game have something similar recently? (i.e. A ruling that contradicted the rules.)

Youth games, while played under a specific set of rules, still require some reasonable accomodation under certain circumstances. My opinion only.

Jerry

True. But the league (LL, PONY, Dixie, Babe Ruth, etc)
takes that into consideration in their "add-on rules". It still isn't left to the umpire.

In your MLB All Star game example, the decision was made by the league officials.

In the original post, "Polyck" asked for opinions. That's what I gave. I don't give a rat's *** if anyone agrees with my opinion or not.

I still maintain; that under certain circumstances, the UIC not only has the option, but the obligation, to make rulings that may contradict the written rules and the letter of the law for the sake of safety and expediency.

Jerry

So lets understand this Jerry.

If you feel that 2 outs are necessary to expedite the game to completion, then it is ok to do. Don't the rules make allowances for conditions that may shorten a game, say like rain or darkness.

Or are you choosing to override these also?

Where does it stop? Or is this another edict for Jerry to decide.

jicecone,
Don't be an idiot.

This thread deals with whether to allow intentional walks at the youth level.

My replies were very specific and referenced rules that have little, if any bearing on the outcome of the game.

If you choose to interpret my comments in any other way, that's certainly your prerogative; but counter-productive to the spirit of this forum.

Jerry

Sorry, I was applying standard interpretations of the English language to your post. My bad.

So lets see, your diction is to copious for my comprehension, correct.

I apologize, I will go to the Spanish version of this Forum because I am not to good with this , How you say, English version.