If a pitcher knowingly threw at a player's head, should that be considered a crime?

Answer 1

no

Answer 2

You get into the area of "assumed risk" here. You stand up at the plate with a bat and a guy throwing a small, hard object toward you, there's always a chance that you could be hit. The batter has to accept that possibility as a precondition of the game. Sure, pitchers throw at batters, but as others have said, it's a little hard to prove.

Now ... the Jose Offerman case in minor league baseball is a different story. Apparently Offerman disagreed with that analysis, and tried to hit a home run with the pitcher's head with his bat. If he had connected, I would guess that someone from the legal system would have been contacted.

Answer 3

If so, you would not have pitchers admitting to intentional bean balls. I assume you are asking this in repsonse to the guy that charged the mound with a bat. That one is obvious, but in case of pitching at head how can you prove between intentional and accident without a shadow of a doubt. So, if it was considered a crime...see where I am going. I think being internally punishable by MLB is best thing.

Answer 4

If he knowingly did and you have some way to prove it then YES. I heard about a first base coach that died last month from getting hit in the head with a foul ball. I think all the players need to be accountable for their actions.

Answer 5

I think so but the biggest problem proving it would be intent. Did he intentionally do it or did it just get away from him?

It's a judgement call by the ump during the game and I'm sure there have been times when a player was tossed unfairly and vice versa.

Intentionally throwing a 90+ mph fastball at someone's head could kill them.

Answer 6

it technically is

Attempted Aggravated Battery with a Weapon(the ball)

If the batter is hit....
Aggravated Battery with a Weapon

It would be nearly impossible to prove that the pitcher intentionally threw the ball at the batter without a confession

Answer 7

Yes. A baseball thrown at 90-plus MPH at a players head can kill the batter, even with a helmet on. That should be concidered attempted murder. That is no exadgeration!

Answer 8

Absolutely not. That's a risk the batter takes by stepping into the box. NFL and NHL players take the same risks every game. Guys get hurt, it's part of the game.

Answer 9

yes it should be considered a crime, though it may be extremely hard to prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that the throw was intentionally aimed at the head.

Answer 10

Unfortunately in day and age there's excuse for everything. It would determine on several factors, none of which could be based on anything other than character and past experiences.

Answer 11

umm no some pitchers will do that if the batter is really good and they don't want any runs in. so no i mean there wearing a helmet they'll be fine wen they get hit . I'm a pitcher and i've intentually hit people before. they were fine. so its all part of the game.
-Amn