Veronica Nelson & the lost art of the intentional walk

[radness]

Correct. I meant 'nerve' as a compliment, regardless of whether it was the right move. Takes courage to make that call.

Equally,
Needs to have nerves of steel having to make decisions when Sue Enquist steps in the Box!

 

[BB875]

This is colossally dumb. Thankfully analytics came along to keep things like this from happening anymore! lol.......

Are you saying she was "colossally dumb" in that situation, or the practice of intentional walk is dumb?

Intentional walk is a valuable tool. A HOF coach told me "Never let the other team's best player beat you. The intentional walk is the most underutilized play in the game." I listened to her and use it when its appropriate. In HS, the depth of a given lineup is usually more manageable too.

 

[El Oso]

Are you saying she was "colossally dumb" in that situation, or the practice of intentional walk is dumb?

Intentional walk is a valuable tool. A HOF coach told me "Never let the other team's best player beat you. The intentional walk is the most underutilized play in the game." I listened to her and use it when its appropriate. In HS, the depth of a given lineup is usually more manageable too.

In that situation.

I bolded part of the post that I replied to hoping that it would make it clear that I think walking the winning run on base with no outs is colossally dumb.

This is the post I responded to. Notice how I bolded a certain part of it.

In 2003, Cal’s Veronica Nelson alone drew 11 intentional walks in one WCWS – 7 times w/ the bases empty and twice with a runner at 1st.

In the first round that year, UCLA coach Sue Enquist had the nerve to walk Nelson intentionally to lead off the bottom of the 8th inning of a tie game.

 

[radness]

Did I read the game story correctly?
That when they walked Nelson for a second time when they put in a runner for her she had to leave the game.
So that's interesting,
it 'strategically forced' Cal to make a decision to put a runner in for her,
otherwise she would be a huge liability of a double play,
and then had to leave the game who was their number one hitter.
Interesting tidbit to the strategy!

 

[BB875]

In that situation.

I bolded part of the post that I replied to hoping that it would make it clear that I think walking the winning run on base with no outs is colossally dumb.

This is the post I responded to. Notice how I bolded a certain part of it.

In 2003, Cal’s Veronica Nelson alone drew 11 intentional walks in one WCWS – 7 times w/ the bases empty and twice with a runner at 1st.

In the first round that year, UCLA coach Sue Enquist had the nerve to walk Nelson intentionally to lead off the bottom of the 8th inning of a tie game.

Interesting comments... I'm trying not to take any of that personally. How would you pitch around Veronica Nelson, in that situation, then? I would bet that Enquist (and her pitcher) knew her well...

 

[JayW]

The Diamondbacks once intentionally walked Barry Bonds with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th and a 2 run lead. The next batter lined out to end the game.

 

[Westwind]

Here's Nelson as a sophomore driving one out against Jennie Finch.

Wow. Just wow.

 

[Nimrod]

Did I read the game story correctly?
That when they walked Nelson for a second time when they put in a runner for her she had to leave the game.
So that's interesting,
it 'strategically forced' Cal to make a decision to put a runner in for her,
otherwise she would be a huge liability of a double play,
and then had to leave the game who was their number one hitter.
Interesting tidbit to the strategy!

Yeah, Cal chose to sub her out. It's extra innings and scoreless, so I'm sure the hope was to cash in right there. If you can score, you probably won't need her next turn at bat. But they didn't, and her turn came up w/ 2 outs and 0 baserunners in the final inning. Goerl finished the no-hitter.

 

[_MIA_]

The Diamonbacks once intentionally walked Barry Bonds with the bases loaded and 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th and a 2 run lead. The next batter lined out to end the game.

Yeah that article I linked to was basically about that.

 

[radness]

intentional walk topic
Forever reminds me of freshman year playing
UCLA intentionally walking the batter before me to load the bases in the bottom of the 11th inning.
And my walk off hit to the left center gap.
Beating UCLA.

You're welcome to try that against me again !
But, they never did

Will say again
I'm all about strategy and especially selecting when to use strategy.
* whom to try it against better be considered!

Some batters are very selective on what they will swing at. I am the batter that if there is a opportunity for me to hit the ball to get on base I'm going to swing, to make something happen. Put pressure on the defense.

Another time playing UCLA their pitcher through a phenomenally great change up. Swung about 2ft too soon and people in the stands laughed at me.
The next pitch was a rise ball way over my head in the batter's box.
Turned on it and hit a shot over the third baseman's head to get on base.

Best to consider what your strategy is and consider who it's against.
*And what your next move is going to be!