Intentional Walks

[Gantry]

This stems from the Potatoes thread, do you guys think intentionally walking a batter is lame?   I'm going with absolutely not, but I am a straight pitch noob

[SmokedUBad13]

I love walking/beaning players.  Sometimes it's your only option.  

Assuming I'm on the mound with a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and noone on, why the hell would I pitch to Armas?  Why wouldn't I walk him, have a worse batter follow, and increase my likelihood of easy outs at 1st and 2nd to end the game?

In regard to whether or not it's frowned upon... I don't think anybody likes to see it.  But it's a part of the game.  You have to deal with it and think ahead to the next batter.

Beales

[Burnzky]

         Our rules are that if the batter takes a ball the next pitch must be down the middle so u cant IBB someone.  Plus, nobody is too good to pitch to.

[fknmclane]

Me and Chubbs' rule is very similar to Burnzky's.  Any ball must be followed by a strike right down the pipe.

Now, I must clarify my position though, as I voted that it is not frowned upon to intentionally walk a guy.  We allow the plunking of a player if, and only if said player has dominated in the past or during the game.

[Baines]

We play straight pitch but my position is pretty much the same as Mclane.  We don't walk anybody but you always reserve the right to plunk someone who deserves it.  I try to drill Doug DeCinces and Spike Owen at least once a game.

[SmokedUBad13]

I was speaking of curve pitch with my previous comments.  Oh, I think there are several players that are too good to pitch against with a tired pitcher.

Beales

[JerryD]

I say, that if you're playing for fun, it's frowned upon to give an IBB.  If you're, say, in a tournament with a tangible prize, then go nuts, walk everybody you want intentionally.

[japetus462]

Intentional walks = lame!

Strike them out!

[capt_taco]

Intentional walks = lame!

Strike them out!

I don't think Jesus Christ himself could've said it better.

[ultimate7]

They're part of the game just like in real baseball

[Baines]

Intentional walks = lame!

Strike them out!

Or plunk their ass.

[GreatScott]

plunking is good.  drilling some stiff like Armas or Reggie after they took you yard earlier in the game is just crucial.  I just wish you could get the fastball far enough inside to getem in the back with some 100mph heat.  beaning with a 75 mph change up just isnt quite enough.

[ultimate7]

In curve, you we would always try to plunk the guy (for an IBB) because it saves pitches, as the hitter, you try to avoid getting hit and will often swing at a 3-0 pitch of an IBB to force an extra pitch.

[Mike D.]

I should be nicknamed Eric Plunk, for all the free passes I give via the beanball.

[BDawk]

I don't think Jesus Christ himself could've said it better.

You telling me Jesus christ can't hit a curveball?

[JoeDirt]

We usually play for money, so you gotta do what you gotta do to win...

[Gantry]

I gotta say it shocks me that so many people frown upon the IBB.   Those of you who frown upon it, do you still allow it?  

[BDawk]

I allow them, just as long as my opponent knows that ball slaps aren't illegal either. We tend to police ourselves

[ultimate7]

Hmmm, kind of afraid to ask, what are ball slaps?

[OzzieLongBall]

I hate to see IBB, and hate to hate to have it done to me, but i gotta say its totally legitimate.. my friend and I use it to try and force one another's hand sometimes... for instance, (we only play curve by the way): if there is one man on, and Hendrick at the plate with one out in the 6th, and Sutton is on the mound... i'll issue the IBB in order to force his hand... we typically play very low scoring games, so every run matters... but now hes gotta think: is it worth PH here, meaning that crap bullpen has to go 3-4 innings? if he comes up with a big hit, then of course... but if his PH grounds into a 6-4-3, then i am sitting pretty... it adds a little something to the game in terms of strategy, which i tend to enjoy.. but believe me, i know its frustrating as hell to see JClark get walked when i need a big hit, knowing he is a sitting duck as a baserunner on first..