I hope the original poster understands by now, given what he wrote, the batter did nothing wrong. As stated, he instinctly (sic) moved out of the box when he saw the ball coming his way. While the pitcher and catcher may have intended to throw behind him, that does not protect them from the batter getting hit by a pitch. The ball is dead, BR goes to first and R2 returns. These are 11-12 year olds who need to learn the rules so that they don't act this silly when they are older. Hopefully the coach who ordered this play will wise up too.

I read about a coach who never intentionally walked batters. He taught his pitchers to just run one in on them and let them take the base rubbing a painful spot on their bodies. Clever. Not cool, but still clever.

Have a good season.

It's clever to teach kids that intentionally pitching at the batter is acceptable at any sub-pro level? In direct violation of NFHS 6-2-3?

Do you know what the word 'clever' means?

I can think of a few other words that i would use other than "clever" for this type of coaching. :rolleyes:

Thanks
David

Why is it that so many of you are antagonistic here? The coach I read about was a MiLB guy who now is an assistant in the bigs. Purpose pitches occur in pro ball. They also happen in small ball and we are supposed to be able to recognize them. I have that ability.

You can find numerous videos of intentional walks that failed, some are hysterical. This coach had his guys run one in on a guy. Immediate dead ball, no wasted pitches or risk of an errant pitch. Yes, it is rough ball but MiLB players should be used to it. It is a clever tactic for that level of baseball.

Please don't try to correct my grammar. I will show you the same respect.

Your post didn't mention that you were talking about pro ball.

"Recognize" purpose pitches? What does that mean? By rule you must eject the pitcher (and maybe the coach) in HS varsity and below.

It's still not clever. And I'll post as I please.

Instead of accepting the fact that you assumed something which wasn't evident, you continue to act arrogant. You made a mistake and I encouraged you to let respect be the tone between us.

I enjoy seeing umpires discuss rules, mechanics, war stories and partaking in them. There is no benefit to engaging you in nonsense. I'm sure you are a decent umpire and a swell guy. I wish you the best this season.

For what it's worth, considering the context of the thread (11-12 year olds) and the fact you called him a coach, I did not think you were referring to an MiLB manager either.

Watching from the sidelines, yes, someone is acting arrogant, but it's not mbyron. Also note that condescension is NOT respect.:rolleyes:

You wonder why people are antagonistic around here. I would suggest that the better question is why they are specifically antagonistic towards you, and with that in mind, go back and re-read your posts.

Thank you.

Me too, but I *also* read "clever" in the spirit of "a coach who *thought* he was being clever" and not as any endorsement of the tactic.

1) A pitching coach is a coach; a manager is not. It seems that some on this board continue to assume in efforts to defend another's error. I wrote what happened, not what some of you want to have occured. I never stated that this was about 11-12 year olds.

2) The play was offered as a continuation of what some coaches will do. That is what this thread involved, right?

3) I have received a few PMs telling me not engage Michael in this nonsense. I attempted to establish mutual respect. I offered an affirmation by stating that I am sure he is a decent umpire and a swell guy, even after being told that he would do as he pleases. I want to discuss baseball and leave internet bashing to those inclined to such behavior. If some of you construe that to be condescending you are wrong.

4) I related the story and didn't feel the need to elaborate about every possible detail. It came from a fellow umpire who wrote up his game incident report and shared it with me. He ejected the pitcher, coach and manager from that game. He agreed with me that while devious, pro ball has numerous examples of such clever behavior. It should be noted that in addition to clever, I also wrote that it was not cool. I hardly suggested it was a good thing.

clever - [klev-er]
–adjective, -er, -est.
1. mentally bright; having sharp or quick intelligence; able.
2. superficially skillful, witty, or original in character or construction; facile: It was an amusing, clever play, but of no lasting value.
3. showing inventiveness or originality; ingenious: His clever device was the first to solve the problem.
4. adroit with the hands or body; dexterous or nimble.
5. Older Use .
a. suitable; convenient; satisfactory.
b. good-natured.
c. handsome.
d. in good health.


5) #3 should suffice as to an explanation of the word as it was originally used in my post.

I believe that it is best to just move on. I am sorry for having mentioned a play without considering that it could be misconstrued. My intent was to discuss baseball not attack each other.

Enjoy your season.

I almost addressed the coach v. manager aspect but I DID assume that a minor league manager would be the one to make such a decision so you got me there.

I am not defending anybody's "error", I am sharing how you were perceived by a disinterested third party (and I'm not the only one it seems). Context is important. I don't really care who is "right".

Might I offer a piece of friendly advice and advise you just relax a little and get to know the place and participants? It may provide a more pleasant experience. But you are free to do as you wish.

My friend, I feel no ill will towards any one here. Six years in Asia taught me to embrace life differently.

One of the PMs I received asked why I always wish people a safe or enjoyable season in closing. I hope it is obvious now.

Thank you.

Have a good season, Mike. I am not going to be calling baseball this year but I hope to return next year.

If the catcher sets-up giving the pitcher a target behind the batter him and the coach are getting a warning. If the pitcher throws behind the batter and the batter gets hit I'm givng him first base. An 11-12 year old kid is going to get the benefit of the doubt all day that in my opinion he was trying to avoid the ball and headed the wrong way.