Expert: Andrew Senger - 10/25/2011

Question
It seems to me that until recently (if at all), it was not possible to issue an intentional walk (or base on balls) if there was already a runner on first base.  Am I wrong ?

Others disagree, telling me they've seen instances where a batter was walked, even with the bases already loaded.  Not a common thing, but I imagine there are situations where the manager does not want to face certain batters with three runners able to be knocked in.

I'd be interested to know your thoughts on the matter.

Answer
Charlie,

Intentional walks are nothing more than four balls thrown to a batter, only the pitches are thrown so far outside that the batter couldn't hit the ball if he tried.

Because of that "intentional walks" have been around for a long time. There's never been a time that I can find (since four balls became a walk, at least) that pitchers wouldn't be allowed to intentionally walk a batter.