Why throw 4 pitches on an intentional?

Search

Active member
Joined
Oct 20, 1999
Messages
75,444
Tokens
When I coached Legion ball, when I decided to intentially walk a guy and not risk a passed ball allowing the runner from 3rd to score, I would have my firstbaseman stand behind the catcher for ONE pitch.

This is interference as there must be at least 8 defensive players in FAIR grounds or the batter is awarded first.

Thus, ONE pitch accomplished the samething as 4 pitches.
 

New member
Joined
Jul 20, 2002
Messages
75,154
Tokens
There is no rule as that solely covers the intentional walk, it is a walk like any other. The term is an expression used by baseball. A walk is a walk - four balls, nothing in the rule book says you can just let a runner to go to first base without throwing a pitch. To walk someone, intentional or otherwize, a pitcher has to throw 4 balls. Could baseball make a rule to preclude the 4 pitches for the intentional walk? Sure they could, but I doubt it will happen soon.


wil.
 

New member
Joined
Sep 20, 2004
Messages
5,412
Tokens
I think it's just to give a chance for stuff to happen like passed balls, stolen bases, balks, or even a hit in case the pitch is hittable by mistake.

Although if Fishhead's rule is true, it would make more sense to just have the 1st or 3rd baseman step into foul territory for the pitch. I wonder why teams don't just do that!?
icon_rolleyes.gif
 

Active member
Joined
Oct 20, 1999
Messages
75,444
Tokens
Rule 6.08(c)--A batter is is entitled to first base if the catcher or ANY fielder interferes with him.

Thus, a coach if he so desired could place an infeilder between the pitcher and the batter and have them catch the pitch itself, thus interfering with the batter striking the ball.........batter awarded first base.

I have personally seen this employed at the college level a few times.
 

I am sorry for using the "R" word - and NOTHING EL
Joined
Oct 21, 1999
Messages
9,024
Tokens
to me - the easiest way to do it is to have the pitcher stand on the mound - NOT THE RUBBER - and lick his fingers 4 times. each time you do that it is a ball - so do it 4 times and you get the intentional walk.
 

Banned
Joined
Sep 20, 2004
Messages
80,046
Tokens
FIsh I like that strategy...I was not aware it was a MLB rule though....I was under the impression you had to throw four pitches and ALL players had to be in fair ground?

Why would any manager chance it than?
 

Banned
Joined
Sep 20, 2004
Messages
80,046
Tokens
The runners would move up though, no? Anyway around having to throw the 4 pitches should be used I would think...if it were possible.
 

Honey Badger Don't Give A Shit
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
46,540
Tokens
Or you could do what Rollie Fingers did to Johnny Bench in the 1972 World Series. ( I hope I got the players right here)

With first base open and a 2-2 count on Bench, A's manager Dick Williams went thru the charade of calling for an IW.

Fingers thru the next pitch way wide for Ball 3 as always. Then catcher (Dave Duncan?) stood up and stuck his arm out for the next one and as Fingers went into his motion, he dropped down behind the plate to receive a fastball down the middle for called Strike 3.

HEY Jason Parlayin, zup?
 

New member
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
1,599
Tokens
i don't know why any batter would be dumb enough to believe an IW would happen with a 2-strike count on and just idly stand by as a pitch is thrown. maybe with a 0-strike count, you let one by, if you're an idiot...but w/ 2 strikes? HA

hey steve, things are ok...just finished first year of law school. how's the good fight?
 

Honey Badger Don't Give A Shit
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
46,540
Tokens
Planting flowers by day and influencing drug law policy by nite...keeps us busy now for five years plus.

First year of LS, eh? Now the real work starts for you.

What university?
 

New member
Joined
Sep 21, 2004
Messages
774
Tokens
Has a base ever been stolen (lets say 3rd base) during an IW?
 

Forum statistics

Threads
1,119,875
Messages
13,574,501
Members
100,879
Latest member
am_sports
The RX is the sports betting industry's leading information portal for bonuses, picks, and sportsbook reviews. Find the best deals offered by a sportsbook in your state and browse our free picks section.FacebookTwitterInstagramContact Usforum@therx.com