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Baseball Instruction/walking a batter
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Question
In our game today, the other team wanted to walk our player and instead of throwing 4 pitch outs they just told the umpire that was their intention.
1) first question - don't you have to pitch to the batter?
2) if you don't, do you not count the pitches?
We are in the Little League Majors..my son is 12
Stephanie,
Regulation VI, Section (c) Note 1 covers this question.
Before a pitch is delivered to the batter, the catcher must inform the umpire that the defensive team wishes to give the batter an intentional walk. The umpire waves the batter to first base. The ball is dead.
So...
1) No, you do not have to pitch to a batter in order to intentionally walk them, and,
2) No, this has no impact on pitches in regards to total pitches thrown for the pitcher in the game.
I hope this has answered your question. Should you have anymore, please, feel free to ask.
-Martin Hoover
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Answers by Expert:
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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