I was watching a 13-17 yoa rec game last night. It was quite obvious that there were only two players in the game that were not rec level players. Both pitched for their teams. Girl A was the better pitcher, but her team was weak. Girl B was a great athelete. Girl B's father was coaching his daughters team, and seemed to really get excited about his travel level DD doing well against a rec level team.
Bottom of the 3rd and girl B gets on base with an error. She then proceeds to intentionally get caught in run downs trying to draw throws. The pitcher (girl A) would walk her back to the base and as soon as she would turn to head back to the circle, girl B would jump off base and it would start all over again. The pitcher would throw ahead of the runner and sure enough, there would be a throwing or catching error and the girl would advance to the next base. I could see the pitcher getting frustrated, as there was little she could do to stop it. Ultimately, girl turns a ground ball to 2nd base in to a mockery of the opposing team and scores. Girl B's Dad was high fiving and jumping around like he just won the WCWS.
Fast forward to the 5th inning. Girl B comes to the plate again. First pitch hits her right between the shoulder blades. I watched the entire game, and there wasn't even 1 pitch close to hitting a batter. Girl B's Dad goes ballistic and screaming at the opposing dugout. Girl A just stood on the mound stone faced.
I have seen a lot of games, and my belief is that Girl A absolutely hit her on purpose. As an observer of the game, with no dog in the fight, I am not sure how I feel about it. The girl who got hit, was making a mockery of the game. She would never play like that in travel. I have watched her play numerous times in travel and she has a bad attitude, but never pulled anything like that. I have also seen the pitcher in travel, and you wouldn't try to instigate her either, as she is usually on a good team and they would just laugh as the runner would be heading back to the dugout.
Watching the game it just felt like two quality players playing against each other. One sort of went too far by showing off and the other called her out on it. I can't lie, I sorta am ok with it. Has anyone else seen a girl intentionally hit and been ok with it?
Bottom of the 3rd and girl B gets on base with an error. She then proceeds to intentionally get caught in run downs trying to draw throws. The pitcher (girl A) would walk her back to the base and as soon as she would turn to head back to the circle, girl B would jump off base and it would start all over again. The pitcher would throw ahead of the runner and sure enough, there would be a throwing or catching error and the girl would advance to the next base. I could see the pitcher getting frustrated, as there was little she could do to stop it. Ultimately, girl turns a ground ball to 2nd base in to a mockery of the opposing team and scores. Girl B's Dad was high fiving and jumping around like he just won the WCWS.
Fast forward to the 5th inning. Girl B comes to the plate again. First pitch hits her right between the shoulder blades. I watched the entire game, and there wasn't even 1 pitch close to hitting a batter. Girl B's Dad goes ballistic and screaming at the opposing dugout. Girl A just stood on the mound stone faced.
I have seen a lot of games, and my belief is that Girl A absolutely hit her on purpose. As an observer of the game, with no dog in the fight, I am not sure how I feel about it. The girl who got hit, was making a mockery of the game. She would never play like that in travel. I have watched her play numerous times in travel and she has a bad attitude, but never pulled anything like that. I have also seen the pitcher in travel, and you wouldn't try to instigate her either, as she is usually on a good team and they would just laugh as the runner would be heading back to the dugout.
Watching the game it just felt like two quality players playing against each other. One sort of went too far by showing off and the other called her out on it. I can't lie, I sorta am ok with it. Has anyone else seen a girl intentionally hit and been ok with it?