Is there any place in the game for beaning a batter?

[MNDad]

I think it depends if an adult is telling a pitcher to hit a kid or if the players come up with it on their own.

 

[schwabach]

Intentionally hitting a batter these days is stupid.

Batters can be taught how to be hit by a pitch (rotate, tuck and duck). Put that with the body armor batters now wear, and hitting a batter isn't particularly painful or dangerous.

I agree to some extent although I remember Rainey Gaffin (Tennessee) suffering a broken arm when hit by a pitch up and in when she was planning to slap the ball

 

[EdLovrich]

I know baseball and softball are two different games. But, in either, if a pitcher has had 2-3 HBP after someone hit a HR and showboated (simply hitting a HR is NEVER a reason), or if a team is up 7-8 runs and is still stretching singles into doubles and stealing bases, or any of the other myriad reasons people come up with to justify throwing at a batter, it isn't accidental. I have already got warnings out and a coach knows that the next 'accidental' HBP will send both he and the pitcher to the showers early. This is the only way I have of 'suggesting' a pitching change.

 

[texasheat]

Intentional hitting a batter - pitcher and coach are gone in a second.

how do you know it's intentional?

 

[Cannonball]

No, it is never alright to throw at a hitter. However, topics like this get the testosterone flowing in some. LOL

Would someone cue the Springsteen song Glory Days!

 

[EdLovrich]

how do you know it's intentional?

If there is no 'reason' for it, if the pitcher cringes or winces when the batter gets hit, these are signs that a HBP was unintentional.. It is like the difference between art and pornography, you know it when you see it.

 

[texasheat]

If there is no 'reason' for it, if the pitcher cringes or winces when the batter gets hit, these are signs that a HBP was unintentional.. It is like the difference between art and pornography, you know it when you see it.

so you watch the ball as it hits the batter AND the pitchers face at the same time? That's talent!

 

[YoungBuck]

I love all the pacifists on this thread... certainly don't see or hear that on the fields and at the tournaments.

 

[MNDad]

If there is no 'reason' for it, if the pitcher cringes or winces when the batter gets hit, these are signs that a HBP was unintentional.. It is like the difference between art and pornography, you know it when you see it.

Not really a good analogy. Pitchers are taught not to show emotion or let it get to them when they hit a batter and different segments of society never agree on what art is.

 

[MNDad]

I love all the pacifists on this thread... certainly don't see or hear that on the fields and at the tournaments.

I know of pitchers and catchers that had a signal for when to do it. Not saying DD would ever do that of course.