Baseball Instruction/intentional walk

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Expert: - 6/11/2009


Question
A little league pitcher is intentionally walking a batter by pitching outside pitches to the catcher who moves out to the side before the pitcher starts his throw.
On the 4th pitch (3 balls/no strikes) the batter decides to swing (apparently to increase the number of pitches the pitcher will have to throw)  the ump calls ball 4 and awards the walk despite the fact that the batter swings  stating that the batter must make a attempt to hit the ball.

I couldn't find this in the rule book.  can you direct me to the proper section.  thanks

Answer
Bob,

If the batter is swinging, and is doing this with the intent to prolong the game and/or to raise the pitchers pitch count, I could eject the player.  However, if the umpire, in his judgement, felt that there was no attempt to hit the ball (2.00-STRIKE (a)), then it can declare it a ball.

I would have called a strike, and possibly sent someone home (batter or coach) right after had I felt it was done with the intent to lengthen the game or raise the pitch count.

I hope this has helped.

-Martin Hoover

Baseball Instruction

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Martin Hoover

Expertise

Questions regarding the Rules and Regulations of Little League Baseball and Softball. Questions regarding the history and organization of Little League Baseball at local, state, regional, and international levels. Advise regarding certain operational procedures and recommendations to Local League representatives.

Experience

Volunteer Little League Umpire since 2000; 2003 Little League, Junior League, Senior League and Big League Softball European Regional Umpire; 2005 Little League Softball Western Regional Umpire; Member- Hesperia National(Hesperia, CA) Little League Board of Directors(2003-2004); President- Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors(2005-Present); 2007 Junior Softball Western Regional Umpire

Organizations
Little League Baseball, Inc is the main operational center. I fall under Little League Western Region, and California District 49. I currently serve as President of the Hesperia National Little League Board of Directors.

Education/Credentials
Western Regional Junior Umpire School(2000)(Named Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Region Area); Instructor - Little League Baseball Western Regional Outreach Clinics

Awards and Honors
Outstanding Junior Umpire of the Western Regional Area(2000)

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