4 "hit-by-pitch" fast balls in a row!

[Paul L]

There is a concept in law that committing an act in conscious disregard of danger is the equivalent of intent. It covers people who shoot into buildings just for the hell of it with no real intent to kill, but who kill occupants anyway.

Pitching a ball towards a batter at speeds capable of causing serious bodily injury, knowing that your control is so poor that you have a high likelihood of hitting and injuring the batter, is acting in conscious disregard of significant danger, and amounts, says I, to intent. Intentionally hitting a batter is unsportsmanlike conduct or malicious contact for which the penalty is ejection.

I have had this problem three or four times. It always is a 12-year-old daughter of a pushy dad/coach. She whips the ball towards the plate as fast as possible with next-to-no control, fast enough to break an arm of the frail little darling who just wants to be playing games with her friends. I say, first hit: that's softball; second hit: warn coach; third hit: eject.

I raised this question on a thread a year or two ago and was told by people whose opinions I respect that it's not up to me to be making up rules. I haven't acted on my beliefs yet, but if I don't and someone gets hurt, I'll feel bad.