what is the most pitches ever thrown in one at bat? and why do they keep a pitcher in a game?

Question

if he keeps walking batter's one right after the other?

Answer 1

There's no official record for most pitches thrown in a single at-bat, but there are a couple of historically long at-bats. In Bill James' original Historical Abstract, he mentions Roy Thomas once fouling off 22 pitches in a single at-bat. There's also a well-worn story about Luke Appling purposely fouling off 17 consecutive pitches to spite an owner with whom he was angry.

As to why they keep pitchers in when they continue to walk batters, it's usually just the manager's decision. I get easily frustrated when pitchers lose their control, but many managers have a pretty long fuse and would rather see the starter work out his issues instead of going to the bullpen.

Answer 2

for your first question theres no aswer because up until the 80's they didn't keep stats pitch by pitch to every batter. As for the walking thing, it can be to boost a players esteem if the coach is telling him that he has faith in him. It can also be that the coach doesn't want to waste another pitching arm.