Why do MLB pitchers hit batters on purpose? If the first hit is just an accident (wild pitch), why does the other team retaliate? Or is there another reason (like maybe the first pitch really wasn't an accident), and if so, why did he do it?
2006-08-18 02:39:00 · 11 answers · asked by TigerLilly 4 in Sports ➔ Baseball
This is not a dumb question at all. Hitters generally like to lean over or crowd the plate to be able to get to the pitches on the outside part of the plate with the fat part of the bat so they can drive the ball with power. Pitchers are trying to keep the batters from doing this and so like to pitch inside and try to move the batter back from the plate even slightly to keep the upper hand. Sometimes batters do get hit accidental if a pitch gets away from the pitcher. If a batter gets hit with a breaking ball it is an accident. If a pitcher hits a batter with a fastball it may be intentional as the fastball is the fastest pitch and will hurt the most if it hits you. If a batter will not move back or if a batter or his team is hitting very well the result may be that the pitcher hits the batter on purpose.
2006-08-18 03:17:42 · answer #1 · answered by ligoneskiing 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
That's not a dumb question. That's actually one of the better questions. MLB pitchers are very accurate. If they weren't, they wouldn't be in the Major Leagues. Sometimes when a pitcher is mad at a hitter or just in a bad mood, they'll hit the batter. Sometimes they'll hit the hitters who are doing the best like if they hit a homerun. Sometimes they'll hit the hitter who hits after the hitter who hit the homerun for revenge. The other team might retaliate because they will always assume that it was intentional. Most of the time, they'll hit the other team. Personally, i think that the best revenge on a pitcher who hit you is to hit a homerun off of them the next time you face them. But, most of the time, pitchers don't hit batters, and a lot of the time, if a pitcher hits a batter, the batter will do nothing and be the better person. But, no matter if the hit was an accident or on purpose, the umpire will give a warning to both clubs and the next pitcher to hit someone will get thrown out of the game.
2006-08-18 13:51:06 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It has to do with protecting their teammates. If an opposing pitcher is pitching inside and is hitting his teammates, he will retaliate by hitting an opposing player. Sometimes it is about ego on the pitchers part. Say a guy just crushed a home run off of him, he may hit the next batter or he may hit the batter the next time around. Some managers, although none will admit it, would tell a pitcher to hit a batter that has been on a hot streak, just to shake him up a bit.
2006-08-18 09:48:26 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's more about protecting your team. If someone on your team gets hit, even if it's an accident, it can't just be forgotten. Usually nowadays it is because MLB is trying to cut down on fights. But one manager, Ozzie Guillen, is old school, and if someone on his team gets hit, he expects his pitcher to go out and retaliate by hitting their team.
It gives the other team a warning of, "You hit us, we'll hit you, so don't hit us".
After the team retaliates, it should be over, but if the other team hits another batter then that's over the line and you'll see the game get real ugly real quick.
2006-08-18 09:48:19 · answer #4 · answered by kris_rynshall 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Major League pitchers got to the Major leagues, because they have command of the strike zone...when a hitters gets hit, most players know if it was intentional or not.
Rarely, with a fastball that hits someone in the back or shoulder, is it an accident...with an off-speed pitch, sure it's an accident...but rarely with a fastball.
2006-08-18 09:48:13 · answer #5 · answered by brianwerner1313 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Whether it was on purpose or not it doesnt matter, as a batter still got hit.
The other pitcher then will intentionally hit a batter in return not to retaliate, but more to defend his own players. If he doesnt, then the other team may constantly hit batters.
2006-08-18 09:46:47 · answer #6 · answered by ~O.N.E.~ 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Most of the time the first time someone is hit it’s an accident, but there are times when it’s intentional. The second team will hit the other team’s player out of respect for his teammates and to tell the other team we can hit your players too. It’s like sticking up for your friend in an argument, you may not agree with your friend but you stand by her.
2006-08-18 10:05:08 · answer #7 · answered by hair_of_a_dog 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes they really are accidents but other times they are on purpose.No one would evr admit it though cuz it is against the rules.They do it to kinda scare the batter so they throughout the at bat he will be a little on the edge so it will be harder for him to relax and just hit.
2006-08-18 10:29:36 · answer #8 · answered by royalsgirl 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
lets put it this way.... you dont pitch at the major league level without being able to hit a dime from fifty yards away while it sits on a mirror in the glaring sun.. there is no such thing as an accidental hit by pitch
2006-08-18 09:45:56 · answer #9 · answered by mr benis 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sometimes to psych-out the batter to get them out of their rhythm
2006-08-18 09:45:40 · answer #10 · answered by johnavaro 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋