Yankees batters have taken a
considerable beating this week, with five hit batters in total. It is
frustrating to watch, and truly infuriating, though not entirely for
the reasons many would think. It is most frustrating when umpires
issue warnings, and handcuff players from handling the issue
properly, among themselves. From the beginning of baseball history,
teams have taken it upon themselves to protect their hit batters,
often by throwing at the other team in retaliation. Despite how some
perceive this act, the rules which dictate intentionally throwing at
batters is universal understood, and accepted among players. It is
the Just War Doctrine of Baseball, the vaunted unwritten rules
of the game which dictate a teams response, that can be equal to, and
never exceed what they absorbed. It is a limitation that allows teams
to respond, but not escalate confrontation. In short, it is an eye
for an eye. Largely these rules have worked well, and teams are
scrupulous in upholding them. The problem is when umpires decide to
insert themselves prematurely into the situation.
Most times when a batter is hit, a
player from the pitchers team is hit shortly thereafter, and the
situation is resolved. Then there are those times when an umpire is
compelled to begin issuing warnings, and preemptively declare that
the next pitcher to hit a batter will be ejected. Umpire warnings are
often grossly misused, and seriously degrade the ability of pitchers
to pitch effectively. To pitch effectively, pitchers MUST be able to
throw on the inside corner of home plate. Warnings almost entirely
rip that ability from them.
(Yankees third baseman Chase Headley taking one for the team.)
The art of pitching is deeply
psychological. It is the great battle of dominance between hitter and
pitcher to establish who controls the plate, struggling for the power
to approach the at-bat as they wish. Pitchers want to keep a batter
from standing too close to the dish, so they can pitch to the outside
corner effectively. A batter will want to stand closer to plate so
their swing can better reach the outside corner. Then there are those
times when a pitcher WANTS the baseball to either hit, or just miss
the batter to create discomfort. As a pitcher, the LAST thing you
want a batter to feel in the box is COMFORTABLE. When a batter is
comfortable, they stand a far greater probability of getting on base.
Roger Clemens called this inside pitch a “bow-tie,” a pitch
thrown up and inside, yet missing. It is a time honored approach for
pitchers because the results are undeniable. No matter how outwardly
tough and un phased a hitter may appear, they NEVER forget a baseball
narrowly missing their upper body. No one EVER wants to repeat it,
and will make clear adjustments to avoid it. When a warning is
issued, pitchers are far more hesitant to pitch on the inside corner,
because accidents happen. Even without any intent of harm, a pitch
can hit a batter. It is an occupational hazard. Regardless of intent,
after a warning is issued a pitcher who hits a batter is ejected. It
is a major advantage to the batter, who can anticipate almost every
pitch for the remainder of the game focusing on the outside corner.
Given how well players usually uphold
their unwritten rules, and how much umpire warnings hamper the
remainder of the games, it is inexcusable that umpires interject
their authority in most scenarios. Clearly there are times when an
umpire must become involved when he feels a dangerous situation is
developing, and no one is suggesting otherwise. Yet, you cannot
remove a pitchers ability to pitch inside. Pitching inside is
directly correlated to Major League success, and no one should have
it taken away from them. Even after a week in which Chase Headley was
hit twice, the Yankees in all candor would still say they would
rather take care of the situation between teams, and would be
confident they could resolve it to their mutual satisfaction, without
escalating the problem.
* Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images
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