"Intentional" Walk

[blueump]

FED high school varsity game last night. R3 & R2 with two outs. R3 is for the tie and R2 is for the win. First base is open. I'm BU and the place is pretty tense, you can cut the drama with a knife. Count goes to 3-2 and with first base open the coach steps out from the dugout and calls for time.

Instead of addressing his catcher quietly, he yells out to her, "first base is open, walk her!" The catcher stands up and questions his call. He repeats himself, "I said first base is open, walk her!"

The catcher stands at the far edge of her box. Holds the glove up high and way outside. PU calls "play" and the pitcher throws...right down the middle of the plate, where the catcher makes the catch. Strike 3, game over. Batter stands, bat still on her shoulder, with her mouth hanging open. Crowd is stunned!

Best play I've seen in a long time!

[tcblue13]

Sparky Anderson and Johnny Bench pulled that off about 30 years ago. It is cool when you can lull someone to sleep and make a play. I can imagine when this sitch came about the coach was thinking, "Dang, we planned for this. Let's use that play we talked about in February." Bang!! HHUU Hammer and drawn bow. Game over