Why wouldn't a pitcher just lick his hand on the mound (for a ball) in place of pitching an intentional ball?

Question

With runners on base, you still would want to avoid wild pitches while attempting to give an intentional walk to a batter. I understand that when a pitcher licks his hand on the mound, he is charged a ball by the umpire. A pitcher COULD lick his hand in place of at least one of those pitches to reduce the risk of the runners advancing. Something tells me, however, that the umpire would catch on and either ignore it or throw the pitcher out of the game. To lick your hands in place of every intentional ball would be absurd. What do you think?

Answer 1

For the same reason that you go to the line in basketball when you've been fouled.

Although Don Drysdale preferred at times to just hit the batter, but it was always of Drysdale that he'd do the same to his mother if he felt it was necessary to his game.

Answer 2

Pitch Count is one of the tools used by the manager and pitching coach to determine when a pitcher should be taken out of a game to avoid straining his arm. Since, on an intentional walk, the pitcher is not throwing full speed and only lobbing the ball to the catcher, should those pitches count as part of the Pitch Count? My personal inclination is to say, "no". However, I'm not a baseball manager or pitching coach, and I have never heard or read if they actually do count them.

Answer 3

It is NEVER a balk if the pitcher goes to his mouth while on the mound. (Note that the person claiming that doesn't [and can't] provide a citation.)

To answer the specific question, the pitcher would not likely get to the fourth automatic ball by going to his mouth because he will have been sent to the clubhouse by the umpire by then for violating Rule 8.02(a)(1). The authority comes from Rule 9.01(d).

Persistent and willful violation of the rules is also grounds for forfeiting the game, under Rule 4.15(e).

In addition, the pitcher would be subjected to a fine by the commissioner's office.

Answer 4

The pitcher would actually be ejected from the game. It would be easier just to hit the batter with the first pitch.

Answer 5

i mean when you lick your hand it usually is that you are trying to gain control of the next pitch, when you`d lick it once it would be a ball then youd have enough control for the next pitch, to avoid wild pitches just make sure you know what youre doing, it doesnt happen often were theres a wild pitch

Answer 6

It could be done,but the umpires are a little smarter than that and would not allow it.the pitcher would be warned and then ejected.

Answer 7

Licking one's hand for a ball is not a rule in the majors, or any level of baseball I'm aware of.

Answer 8

I found your question amusing... I never thought of that before... the guy above me seems to have an answer backed up by the rules....

Answer 9

Ryan said it best