Expert: Brian Flaspohler - 6/30/2007

Question
When doing an intentional walk in LL. the catcher notifies the plate ump and the batter goes to first. My question is why isn't the pitcher charged with at least 4 pitches or why don't we do away with the protected walk play. It is a win win situation for the defensive team, they could walk the top of the order load the bases pitcher has no pitches and then pitch to 4-6 batter if the arn't as good a player. If there is a rule coming out or talk about one that's what I really wnat to know.

Answer
John,

The reason the pitch count is used is to protect the pitchers' arms.  Since an intential walk doesn't take any pitches, I don't see the need to give them to the pitchers.

As far as the second part of your question, the reason anyone intentionally walks players is to skip the good hitters and try to pitch to the lesser hitters.  If you really want to campaign for a rules change, I'd recommend eliminating the intential walk in little league.  Those leagues should be in place for kids to play, not for coaches to show off their strategies.

Hope this helps!

Brian