I haven problem with a pitcher trying to throw inside on a batter. Batters crowd the plate and can do so due to the body armor that many now wear. Barry Bonds wore that brace over his elbow, and now others do. One written rule that needs to be enforced is the HBP. A batter has to make an attempt to avoid getting hit. If not, then the umpire can simply not award the batter first base.
Throw at a batters head, deliberately, and if it’s done by a starting pitcher, it’s an automatic 5 starts. Five games is a joke. One whole start. If it’s a reliever, then 15 games. I really detest it when a pitcher deliberately behind a batters head. They know what they’re doing. Managers who whine about it, maybe you should get in the batters box and have their head targeted. Believe me, this archaic code would end and end quickly.
As in most cases, the problem is proving intention. With Acuna, it definitely looked like he was being targeted, but even the best pitchers uncork a wild pitch occasionally, and plead “it just got away from me!” The umpires are left to interpret the motives, which of course is at best an educated guess.
Charles Spencer Premium Member about 6 years ago
Screw(ball) unwritten rules. Baseball should get over itself.
sarah413 Premium Member about 6 years ago
I haven problem with a pitcher trying to throw inside on a batter. Batters crowd the plate and can do so due to the body armor that many now wear. Barry Bonds wore that brace over his elbow, and now others do. One written rule that needs to be enforced is the HBP. A batter has to make an attempt to avoid getting hit. If not, then the umpire can simply not award the batter first base.
Throw at a batters head, deliberately, and if it’s done by a starting pitcher, it’s an automatic 5 starts. Five games is a joke. One whole start. If it’s a reliever, then 15 games. I really detest it when a pitcher deliberately behind a batters head. They know what they’re doing. Managers who whine about it, maybe you should get in the batters box and have their head targeted. Believe me, this archaic code would end and end quickly.
amxchester about 6 years ago
Baseball has a much bigger problem – the poor product on the field leading to over 10 years of declining attendance……
Bob. about 6 years ago
It has become a home run derby.
J Quest about 6 years ago
As in most cases, the problem is proving intention. With Acuna, it definitely looked like he was being targeted, but even the best pitchers uncork a wild pitch occasionally, and plead “it just got away from me!” The umpires are left to interpret the motives, which of course is at best an educated guess.
dadlivonia about 6 years ago
Tank should be interviewing the ghost of Sal Maglie
whelan_jj about 6 years ago
A retaliation high and inside pitch is a firmer unwritten rule than throwing the first pitch at a home run hitter.