Is it ever too early in a game to walk a batter?

[Mattingly]

One thing I've advocated in games is that when you've got a rookie or a struggling pitcher, is to walk the #3 hitter if you're in trouble. I don't care if it's the 1st inning or the 9th, I don't like letting a pitcher who's below your #3 pitcher face up against an elite hitter, especially with runners on.

In June 2002, the notable Barry Bonds was facing young southpaw Ted Lilly with two men on base. I'd said (from my lofty perch along the LF upper deck) that Barry should be walked. Other Yankee fans, including friends of mine, said that was a crazy idea. It was too early to walk a guy, even Barry Bonds himself.

Needless to say, Barry hit one out of Yankee Stadium so fast, I'd thought he was playing either a video game or had hit a ping pong ball. Of equal importance, I'd felt, was that Mariano Rivera struck out Bonds in the top of the 9th, but the game was tied. I thought that had Bonds not been walked, 3 runs not scored, we could've won that game. Mariano lost it for us in the 10th inning and we didn't score any runs.

Anyway, I was curious how you folks felt. Should a new or struggling pitcher pitch around a stud hitter? Or at least give him absolutely nothing to hit? Is there a time in the game where it's too early to walk a batter?

Thanks. :)

[Texas Rangers]

If there are men on 2nd & 3rd, yes. Walk him whether be 1st of 9th. But, if there are men on the corners or men on 1st and 2nd, I'd take a chance and pitch to him. Chances are you can get him to ground into a DP if he can just keep his pitches low. Or, pitch around. Don't throw heat down the middle to barry bonds with 2 on and 0 out. Make him work for a hit.

[littlejoybuddybear]

Second and third with Bonds coming into the batters box.......that is real easy. Walk him on 4 and make him run the bases on those worn out knees.

[baseball junkie]

Yes, never intentionally walk the lead-off hitter on his first time to the plate.

Joking aside, I'm one of those weirdos who hate the intentional walk and think it should be banned from MLB and the minors. It deliberately takes away from the excitement of the game -- which can become fairly mundane after a few too many innings.

MLB should ban the intentional walk the same way the NBA banned double-teaming a player who doesn't have the ball. Then again, David Stern has his act together, which is more than can be said for Bud Selig.

[Mattingly]

Yes, never intentionally walk the lead-off hitter on his first time to the plate.

Joking aside, I'm one of those weirdos who hate the intentional walk and think it should be banned from MLB and the minors. It deliberately takes away from the excitement of the game -- which can become fairly mundane after a few too many innings.

MLB should ban the intentional walk the same way the NBA banned double-teaming a player who doesn't have the ball. Then again, David Stern has his act together, which is more than can be said for Bud Selig.
I'm wondering if the Giants will secretly put Barry into the leadoff spot, just to insure that a man gets on base. You know they'll walk 'im! :D

As to double-teaming a man who doesn't have the ball, thankfully, a catcher can't block the plate if he doesn't have the ball. Also, you can't put a man into a rundown if you don't have the ball. Sooner or later, there will be an equivalent to your fine NBA reference, even if I'm not the one who figures it out. :D :crazy :p

As to the walk, I figured it could be one of two varieties: straight IBB or the intentional-unintentional walk. The first would likely mess more with the pitcher's mind than anything else. Heck, not even young guys, as I've seen Clemens make a wild pitch on an IBB, which moved both runners over and messed with his head also, spooked him.

I'd be more interested unless it's the "Bonds-Pujols-Ortiz" type of guy, that the pitcher simply throw the ball a bit low so that he can't hit it. Of course, a few scouting reports would have to insure he can't hit anything very low, but if outside, I think the chances would be high.

Anyway, 1st inning yesterday, Toronto's Vernon Wells vs the Yanks' Sidney Ponson. No competition. Man on base, Wells goes *BOOM*. 2-zip in the 1st inning. I figured that with a pitcher already struggling with his control, 4 wide and high may be asking too much, especially if asked to pitch a decent game afterwards. However, if a few are merely low an a bit outside, see if he chases one, just to try getting a hit in. Even if a pitch is borderline, perhaps the catcher can "sell it" to the ump by moving his glove.

Anyway, I'm not too crazy about struggling or young pitchers just trying to hope for the best vs #3 hitters very worthy of their spot in the lineup.

[trosmok]

Almost too many different situations to ask if it is ever too early, and I never like to see an intentional pass issued, even to Bonds, Ortiz, or today's hottest hitter, Chipper (.576 in July). Yet, if 1st is open, less than two out, close game even first three innings, I'd order an eye-high heater and see if he bites. If he (other than Vlad), goes for it, make the next one a little higher and make him climb the ladder. If he lays off, aim for the knees, and keep it low. Nothing disrupts a pitcher's timing or confidence the way four loblolly pitches do; notice how often the next batter smokes one in the gap or out of the yard after an intentional walk. I like to think any pitcher in the show can better any batter in nearly every situation, or else it is time to go to the pen if he can't find the plate or continually grooves them.

[Wade8813]

I don't see how it really matters if it's the first or 9th inning. All that matters is the number of runs scored at the end of the game - not what inning they were scored in.

[Thunder John]

I'm wondering if the Giants will secretly put Barry into the leadoff spot, just to insure that a man gets on base.


If I were the opposing manager, I'd welcome that. Go ahead, put him in the leadoff spot. I'd LOVE it if you clogged up the bases. Bonds is either unwilling or incapable of running hard.

Somebody said earlier about a "Pujols-Ortiz" type. I agree. I wouldn't let either beat me at any time. Why anybody pitches to those guys with people on base is beyond me. Like Buck Showalter did a few years ago by walking Bonds with the bases loaded, I'd certainly consider that move, too.


Thunder John
That pinball wizard has such a supple wrist