Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 7/6/2006

Question
My son Jack was rewarded at last night's All Star tournament
with a night's worth of intentional walks after he demonstrated
his hitting ability with a double followed by a homerun. Any
ideas as to how he can best cope with the specter of intentional
walks? What's the boy supposed to do? I never saw this before in
Little League (we've played since t-ball and we're in the 9-10
division now) and am appalled that the organization, which
trumpets itself as a group that promotes youth development and
a love of the game, allows this, frankly, craven response to
excellence. To teach young pitchers the cut-and-run technique
of intentional walks flies in the face of the Little League motto, "I
will always strive to do my best." Intentional walks hardly have a
place in the big leagues, where it's arguable that economics
drive the game now. But even there, there's really no legitimate
place for intentional walks, for who wants to spend sixty bucks  
a ticket just to watch David Ortiz get intentionally walked? It's a
gip all the way around, and to see it in Little League now is just
sickening. What is a young batter who has been taught to strive
hard to hit the ball supposed to do when his opportunity to hit is
taken away? It teaches the kids that it's a waste of time to do
your best- you'll only get to first base. No wonder America is in
such deep trouble.-
Rainey Lewis

Answer
Rainey,

My only take on the situation is that you need to get your son playing against better competition.  If he doesn't stand out so much, he'll be much less likely to be walked.  And he'll benefit by playing against better competition also.  Maybe he can play in the next age group up?

I know it is frustrating, but keep him working in practice and playing good defense in games; so he'll be ready for his chances at the plate when they come.

It is a shame that the drive toward winning everything is so strong even at the 9-10 level.  I mean, I think we should keep score and try and win, but that doesn't mean taking the bat out of opposing players' hands.

Hope this helps!

Brian