Lessons Learned About Rats

[SanDiegoSteve]

Originally Posted by David M

13 Year old Babe Ruth game on Sunday. Every time team A had a man on base the team B pitcher, who looked like he had little or no pitching experience, was balking (not coming to a stop) on every pitch. Team A had no problem stealing so I let the balks go and told the team B coach after the first inning. Fast forward to the 7th inning. The game is relatively close (3 or 4 runs) when I hear the coach of team B complaining about the team A pitcher not coming to a stop.

The lessons learned are that no one gets a break and that no good deed goes unpunished.

In situations like this, when a pitcher is pretty green and does not come to a stop, I will say to him (if I'm BU) or have his catcher tell him (if I'm PU) to be sure to come to a stop. He gets one freebie. After that he gets balked. You would be surprised how fast they learn how to stop when you keep advancing the runners 90 ft. and their coach gets on their butts.