NFHS Intentional Walk

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Dec 11, 2010
4,713
113
I will start by saying this: This rule really irritates me. There is nothing worse than having a hitter come up to the plate, digging in, feeling like she has a chance to change the game and having a WEENIE of a coach point at first.

Hitting pitches off the plate can be a part of this game. If a pitcher has to throw four balls, there is a possibility that the pitcher will stray close enough to the plate that the hitter can hit it. There is a possibility of a passed ball. The game still gets played. When aforementioned Coach WEENIE points at first, the game is no longer being played.

Furthermore, under the current NFHS rule, the ball is dead when Coach WEENIE points at first. If Coach WEENIE isn’t smart enough to call time before being a complete putz and stealing an at bat from a hitter, the batter runner should have the option of streaking to 2 if the bag isn’t being covered or if there is a runner on 3. At least the batter runner would have some recourse and have the option of trying to make the defense pay for stealing her at bat.

This rule doesn’t serve any purpose in a seven inning fastpitch game. It just lets Coach Weenie take a total cop out when he is too much of a sissy to throw four pitches. Flame away, my DFP brothers and sisters!
 
Last edited:
Oct 11, 2010
8,337
113
Chicago, IL
Respect your opinion, nice rant.

It does not bother me.

We had a player on DD's that seemed to be able a HR a will, if I was her parents I might have been annoyed as well.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I find it strange to characterize an intentional walk as "stealing an at bat" when the purpose of an at bat is to get on base and the IBB puts the batter on base.
 
Dec 2, 2013
3,409
113
Texas
Last year we played a district foe who had the Houston Area Hitter of the Year, now at LSU. Coach decides to IW the first AB, the 2nd AB. Then with the bases loaded the coach got brave and pitched her to an 0-2 count. Next pitch over the fence Grand Slam. 4th AB IW. Our pitchers were slow Batting practice pitchers.
 
Dec 11, 2010
4,713
113
I find it strange to characterize an intentional walk as "stealing an at bat" when the purpose of an at bat is to get on base and the IBB puts the batter on base.

I characterize the purpose of an at bat is to get a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on the ball.

Because you only get so many chances to hit a ball in high school competition and this rule creates a situation that takes that opportunity away.

It takes three players out of competition. The pitcher, catcher and hitter.

It takes competition out of the hands of a competitor and places it in the hands of a coach. The adult on the sideline.

It is a chance for a coach to prevent a player from doing what she trains to do all year.

Do you ever watch video of players hitting?

Do you ever sit around and watch video of players getting walked?

Have you never seen a pitcher defeat a batter when it matters?

Have you ever seen a pitcher dig down and beat a hitter that she didn’t think she could beat? (An awesome moment. Even when it isn’t your team.)

For the pitcher, this should be a “never give up” moment. Same for the hitter. Play it out. Even if playing it out means four in a row to the far batters box.

Instead, adults insert themselves.... intervene into the game that children should be playing.
 
Jun 12, 2015
3,848
83
I asked my daughter her opinion. I've never played and don't really have one. She has been intentionally walked a few times and she hates it. This was her reply:

I want them to suffer as they throw balls, pitch by pitch. I want to see the look on their faces, as they realize that they are all failures.

Keep in mind she is 12. She cracks me up.
 
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
I characterize the purpose of an at bat is to get a good pitch to hit and put a good swing on the ball.

Because you only get so many chances to hit a ball in high school competition and this rule creates a situation that takes that opportunity away.

It takes three players out of competition. The pitcher, catcher and hitter.

It takes competition out of the hands of a competitor and places it in the hands of a coach. The adult on the sideline.

It is a chance for a coach to prevent a player from doing what she trains to do all year.

Do you ever watch video of players hitting?

Do you ever sit around and watch video of players getting walked?

Have you never seen a pitcher defeat a batter when it matters?

Have you ever seen a pitcher dig down and beat a hitter that she didn’t think she could beat? (An awesome moment. Even when it isn’t your team.)

For the pitcher, this should be a “never give up” moment. Same for the hitter. Play it out. Even if playing it out means four in a row to the far batters box.

Instead, adults insert themselves.... intervene into the game that children should be playing.

So your problem isn't with the strategic decision to intentionally walk a hitter, but that the pitcher isn't forced to throw 4 pitches to do so?

OK, I guess. I don't know how to respond to that, really.
 
Dec 11, 2010
4,713
113
So your problem isn't with the strategic decision to intentionally walk a hitter, but that the pitcher isn't forced to throw 4 pitches to do so?

OK, I guess. I don't know how to respond to that, really.


1) Correct. Previous rule was that you had to throw the four pitches. The new rule is that you don’t. I was complaining about the new rule. Nice job making that connection.

2) Doesn’t surprise me at all. Yet there you are, not responding.
 
Last edited:
Jun 6, 2016
2,714
113
Chicago
1) Correct.

2) Doesn’t surprise me at all. Yet there you are, not responding.

Listen, I don’t need the two days of meteorological analysis you provided when I said we didn’t need fall softball in Illinois or the absolute b.s. about “how entitled I am” from you. Do me a favor and go back to Midwest Fastpitch. Your vibe fits better with that crew.

I'm confused by most of this, but the "go back" to a place I've never been is probably the most confusing.
 

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