What are you willing to do to win?

Why is everyone so focused on the pitcher hitting a batter?
Isnt there other players that might take place in this scandal?
- The catcher could "accidentally" drill a runner in the head as they take a small lead off of 1st base
-ect.

We already had that conversation a few weeks ago! Apparently, some feel it's an ok thing to do.

I definitly agree with Zackishot, the pitcher is not the only person who hits a member of the opposing team, and most of the time it is a simple accident

My dd was just accused of hitting the batter on purpose. ?As a matter of fact, she hit the girl twice in one game. ?I happened to be the score keeper right behind the backstop, so I knew exactly what happened. ?The batter was standing with the point of her foot touching the plate. ?Needless to say, she was almost standing on the plate. ?She was hit HARD in the hip. ?In return she yelled and THREW her helmet. ?She was warned about throwing equipment but awarded her base. ?The girls team (parents too) smarting off about "charging the mound". ?Needless to say the same thing happened the next time she was up to bat except she was hit in the shoulder. ?This is 12U. ?Yes, the 3rd baseman did say something to my dd and yes, my dd smiled. ?I can agree with a recent post that at that age, they do giggle when uncomfortable. ?My dd apologized after the game. ?The two of them laughed it off and talked about the stitch mark she would have on her hip. ?

I was just remembering something that happened in a tournament game several years ago--our first summer of travel ball in a 14U game. This is along the lines of the subject and not the recent comments about pitching.

My daughter's team was on the field late in the game and ahead by one or two runs. There was one out, and there was runners on first and second base. As soon as the batter made an out, the third base coach ran in as if there were three outs. All of the fielders ran in except for the third baseman. At that point, the runners ran home. The third baseman ran to the pitching circle to pick up the ball, but there was no one to throw the ball to and make the out. My daughter's team lost the game.

What the coach did was intentional, and his team won the game.

Unbelievable! From reading some of these posts, it's obvious that some parents - and coaches - have lost sight of what sports and competition are all about. Or maybe some dads would like to migrate their daughters to football. I stand with moz5 100%! At least he has the guts to admit that an apology is the RIGHT thing to do. Admit guilt? Geees! Give me a break! Whatever happened to human compassion? I taught my daughter and son, both pitchers, to play the game with respect. Respect for the game and your opponent. Thank the umps & your opponent after the game. Both kids also play basketball. They will be the first ones to extend a hand to help an opponent they knocked to the floor. A sign of weakness? You, as an adult, make that decision. Without an opponent, there would be no game. Fortunately, both my kids have been involved with teams and coaches that share this philosophy.

Better to work on your FUNdamentals, hustle and mental attitude. I have seen quite a few girls with great potential have their future in sports jeopardized by a jerk parent and coaches. My advice is find quality teaching for your athlete. Stay away from the macho chest thumpers with an axe to grind. There's proof out there that just playing the game with solid technique and class will take you a long way.

Sammy- You are over simplifying things its just not that black and white. My DD will throw far inside to get you off the plate if you are crowding it. If you do not want to risk getting hit then dont stand on the plate. Where is the batters sportsmanship???? My daughter does not expect someone to appoligize to her for hitting her when she is at bat. To see if they are ok after the game or if the batter is hurt real bad (has not happened with her pitching) maybe right after the pitch but she did not do it intentionally so why ask for forgiveness?

Actually, simplifying here is a good thing. The original poster asked if a coach would intentionally use a bean-ball. So a hit batter is one of two things - an accident or on purpose.

My opinion is very simple too - coaches who teach it, and pitchers who intentionally bean a batter should be ejected from the sport.

This is very different from "working the corners", and using sound pitching strategy. My daughter will often throw under the hands to the inside corner with a batter hanging over the plate. Frequently, it's a called strike with the batter jumping back. She has even hit the hands resulting in a foul ball. Not a "brush back", just pitching to the corners and the batter's weaknesses.

Quite different is the coach who instructs his pitcher to "throw at the batter". This coach probably is also obnoxious with umpires. We've all seen these teams in summer, and I cringe every time. I actually feel sorry for the girls that get stuck with these bush league coaches.

It comes down to choice. Don't support coaches that don't know how to teach solid fundamentals. Vote with your feet.