Youth baseball - intentional walks fair?

[PeteBooth]

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.

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